–adjective, superl. of much or many with more as compar.
1.
in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number: to win the most votes.
2.
in the majority of instances: Most operations are successful.
3.
greatest, as in size or extent: the most talent.
–noun
4.
the greatest quantity, amount, or degree; the utmost: The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
5.
the greatest number or the majority of a class specified: Most of his writing is rubbish.
6.
the greatest number: The most this room will seat is 150.
7.
the majority of persons: to be more sensitive than most.
8.
the most, Slang. the ultimate in something: He's the most. That movie was the most.
–adverb, superl. of much with more as compar.
9.
in or to the greatest extent or degree (in this sense often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables, to form superlative phrases having the same force and effect as the superlative degree formed by the termination -est): most rapid; most wisely.
—Usage note 11. The adverb most, a shortened form of almost, is far from being either a recent development or an Americanism. It goes back to the 16th century in England, where it is now principally a dialect form. In American English it occurs before such pronouns as all, anyone, anybody, everyone, and everybody; the adjectives all, any, and every; and adverbs like anywhere and everywhere: Most everyone around here is related to everyone else. You can find that plant most anywhere. This use of most is often objected to, but it is common in the informal speech of educated persons. It is less common in edited writing except in representations of speech.
constituting or forming a large number; numerous: many people.
2.
noting each one of a large number (usually fol. by a or an): For many a day it rained.
–noun
3.
a large or considerable number of persons or things: A good many of the beggars were blind.
4.
the many, the greater part of humankind.
–pronoun
5.
many persons or things: Many of the beggars were blind. Many were unable to attend.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME mani, meni, OE manig, menig; akin to OS, OHG manag, menig, Dan mange, Goth manags]
—Synonyms 1. multifarious, multitudinous, myriad; divers, sundry, various. Many,innumerable,manifold,numerous imply the presence or succession of a large number of units. Many is a popular and common word for this idea: many times. Numerous, a more formal word, refers to a great number or to very many units: letters too numerous to mention. Innumerable denotes a number that is beyond count or, more loosely, that is extremely difficult to count: the innumerable stars in the sky. Manifold implies not only that the number is large but also that there is variety or complexity.
great in quantity, measure, or degree: too much cake.
–noun
2.
a great quantity, measure, or degree: Much of his research was unreliable.
3.
a great, important, or notable thing or matter: The house is not much to look at.
–adverb
4.
to a great extent or degree; greatly; far: to talk too much; much heavier.
5.
nearly, approximately, or about: This is much like the others.
—Idioms
6.
make much of,
a.
to treat, represent, or consider as of great importance: to make much of trivial matters.
b.
to treat with great consideration; show fondness for; flatter.
7.
much as,
a.
almost the same as: We need exercise, much as we need nourishment.
b.
however much: Much as she wanted to stay at the party, she had to leave.
[Origin: 1150–1200; ME muche, moche, apocopated var. of muchel, mochel, OE mycel; r. ME miche(l), OE micel great, much (cf. mickle), c. ON mikill, Goth mikils, Gk mégal-, suppletive s. of mégas great]
O.E. mast "greatest number, amount, extent," earlier mæst, from P.Gmc. *maistaz (cf. O.S. mest, O.N. mestr, Ger. meist, Goth. maists "most"), superlative form of P.Gmc. *maiz, root of O.E. ma, mara (see more). Used in O.E. as superl. of micel "great, large" (see mickle). Vowel influenced by more. Original sense of "greatest" survives in phrase for the most part (c.1400). Slang meaning "the best, extremely good" is attested from 1953. Double superlative mostest is 1885, from U.S. Southern and Black English.
(superlative of 'many' used with count nouns and often preceded by 'the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number; "who has the most apples?"; "most people like eggs"; "most fishes have fins" [ant: fewest]
2.
the superlative of 'much' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by 'the'; a quantifier meaning the greatest in amount or extent or degree; "made the most money he could"; "what attracts the most attention?"; "made the most of a bad deal" [ant: least]
adverb
1.
used to form the superlative; "the king cobra is the most dangerous snake" [ant: least]
2.
very; "a most welcome relief"
3.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but; "the job is (just) about done"; "the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded"; "we're almost finished"; "the car all but ran her down"; "he nearly fainted"; "talked for nigh onto 2 hours"; "the recording is well-nigh perfect"; "virtually all the parties signed the contract"; "I was near exhausted by the run"; "most everyone agrees" [syn: about]
(the) greatest number or quantity of Example: Which of the students has read the most books?; Reading is what gives me most enjoyment.
Arabic:
أكْثَر
Chinese (Simplified):
最多的
Chinese (Traditional):
最多的
Czech:
nejvíce
Danish:
flest; mest
Dutch:
meest
Estonian:
kõige rohkem
Finnish:
eniten
French:
le plus (de)
German:
meist
Greek:
(ο) περισσότερος, (οι)περισσότεροι
Hungarian:
a legtöbb
Icelandic:
mest; flestir
Indonesian:
paling banyak
Italian:
più
Japanese:
最も多くの
Korean:
가장 많은
Latvian:
visvairāk
Lithuanian:
daugiausia
Norwegian:
flest, mest
Polish:
najwięcej
Portuguese (Brazil):
mais
Portuguese (Portugal):
o mais
Romanian:
cel mai mult
Russian:
наибольший
Slovak:
najviac(ej)
Slovenian:
največ
Spanish:
más
Swedish:
mest, flest, den (det) mesta, de flesta
Turkish:
en çok, *fazla
most2[məust]adjective
the majority or greater part of Example: Most children like playing games; Most modern music is difficult to understand.
Arabic:
أغْلَبِيَّه
Chinese (Simplified):
多数的
Chinese (Traditional):
多數的
Czech:
většina
Danish:
mest
Dutch:
meest
Estonian:
enamik
Finnish:
useimmat, suurin osa
French:
la plupart (de)
German:
die meisten
Greek:
(ο) περισσότερος, (οι) περισσότεροι, το μεγαλύτερο μέρος
Hungarian:
a legtöbb(et)
Icelandic:
flestir; mest
Indonesian:
sebagian besar
Italian:
la maggior parte di*, la maggioranza di*
Japanese:
たいていの
Korean:
대부분의
Latvian:
vairums
Lithuanian:
dauguma, didžioji dalis
Norwegian:
de fleste, mesteparten av, det meste
Polish:
większość
Portuguese (Brazil):
a maioria de
Portuguese (Portugal):
a maioria
Romanian:
cea mai mare parte din(tre)
Russian:
большинство
Slovak:
väčšina
Slovenian:
večina
Spanish:
la mayoría (de), la mayor parte (de)
Swedish:
de flesta, större delen av
Turkish:
çoğu, büyük kısmı
most1[məust]adverb
used to form the superlative of many adjectives and adverbs, especially those of more than two syllables Example: Of all the women I know, she's the most beautiful; the most delicious cake I've ever tasted; We see her mother or father sometimes, but we see her grandmother most frequently.
Arabic:
تُسْتَعْمَل في المُقارنَه مع الصِّفَة المُكَوَّنَه من
Chinese (Simplified):
最
Chinese (Traditional):
最(与許多形容詞和副詞連用构成最高級)
Czech:
nejvíce, nej-
Danish:
mest
Dutch:
meest
Estonian:
kõige
Finnish:
(superlatiivin muodostaja)
French:
le, *la, *les plus
German:
zur Bildung des Superlatives
Greek:
(ο) πιο, (ο) περισσότερο
Hungarian:
(felsőfok:) leg…bb (pl. a legszebb)
Icelandic:
mest
Indonesian:
paling
Italian:
più
Japanese:
最も
Korean:
가장 많이, 최고로
Norwegian:
mest
Polish:
naj
Portuguese (Brazil):
o, *a, *os, *as mais
Portuguese (Portugal):
o mais
Romanian:
cel mai
Russian:
наиболее
Slovak:
najviac(ej), naj-
Slovenian:
najbolj
Spanish:
más
Swedish:
mest
Turkish:
en çok
most2[məust]adverb
to the greatest degree or extent Example: They like sweets and biscuits but they like ice-cream most of all.
Arabic:
أكْثَر شيء، إلى أقْصى دَرَجَه
Chinese (Simplified):
最
Chinese (Traditional):
最
Czech:
nejvíce
Danish:
allermest
Dutch:
het meest
Estonian:
kõige rohkem
Finnish:
kaikkein eniten
French:
le plus
German:
am meisten
Greek:
πιο πολύ
Hungarian:
leginkább
Icelandic:
mest
Indonesian:
paling
Italian:
più
Japanese:
いちばん
Korean:
가장, 제일
Latvian:
vis-; visvairāk; vislabāk
Lithuanian:
labiausiai, daugiausia
Norwegian:
mest
Polish:
bardzo, wyjątkowo
Portuguese (Brazil):
mais
Portuguese (Portugal):
mais que tudo
Romanian:
cel mai mult
Russian:
больше всего
Slovak:
najviac(ej)
Slovenian:
najbolj
Spanish:
más
Swedish:
mest
Turkish:
en çok
most3[məust]adverb
very or extremely Example: I'm most grateful to you for everything you've done; a most annoying child
Arabic:
جِدا
Chinese (Simplified):
很，极
Chinese (Traditional):
很，極
Czech:
velice
Danish:
yderst; særdeles
Dutch:
buitengewoon
Estonian:
väga
Finnish:
erittäin
French:
très
German:
äußerst
Greek:
εξαιρετικά
Hungarian:
rendkívül
Icelandic:
mjög, ákaflega
Indonesian:
sangat
Italian:
molto
Japanese:
とても
Korean:
매우, 대단히
Latvian:
ļoti
Lithuanian:
labai, nepaprastai
Norwegian:
meget, svært
Polish:
najbardziej
Portuguese (Brazil):
muito
Portuguese (Portugal):
muitíssimo
Romanian:
foarte
Russian:
очень
Slovak:
veľmi
Slovenian:
izredno
Spanish:
muy, de lo más
Swedish:
högst, ytterst
Turkish:
çok
most4[məust]adverb
(American) almost Example: Most everyone I know has read that book.
Arabic:
تَقْريبا
Chinese (Simplified):
几乎
Chinese (Traditional):
幾乎
Czech:
téměř
Danish:
næsten
Dutch:
bijna
Estonian:
peaaegu
Finnish:
melkein
French:
presque
German:
fast
Greek:
σχεδόν
Hungarian:
majdnem
Icelandic:
næstum
Indonesian:
hampir
Italian:
quasi
Japanese:
ほとんど
Korean:
거의
Latvian:
gandrīz; turpat vai
Lithuanian:
beveik
Norwegian:
nesten
Polish:
prawie
Portuguese (Brazil):
quase
Portuguese (Portugal):
quase
Romanian:
aproape
Russian:
почти
Slovak:
takmer
Slovenian:
skoraj
Spanish:
casi
Swedish:
nästan
Turkish:
hemen hemen
most1[məust]pronoun
the greatest number or quantity Example: I ate two cakes, but Mary ate more, and John ate (the) most.
Arabic:
الأكْثَر، أكْبَر عدد أو أكْثَر كَمِيَّه
Chinese (Simplified):
最多数
Chinese (Traditional):
最多數
Czech:
nejvíce
Danish:
mest; flest
Dutch:
het meest
Estonian:
kõige rohkem
Finnish:
eniten
French:
le plus
German:
am meisten
Greek:
(το) περισσότερο
Hungarian:
a legtöbb(et)
Icelandic:
mest, flestir
Indonesian:
paling banyak
Italian:
più
Japanese:
最大数量
Korean:
최대수, 최대량
Latvian:
visvairāk
Lithuanian:
daugiausia
Norwegian:
flest, mest
Polish:
najwięcej
Portuguese (Brazil):
mais
Portuguese (Portugal):
mais que todos
Romanian:
cel mai mult
Russian:
больше всех
Slovak:
najviac(ej)
Slovenian:
največ
Spanish:
lo máximo
Swedish:
mest, flest
Turkish:
en fazla, *çoğu
most2[məust]pronoun
the greatest part; the majority Example: He'll be at home for most of the day; Most of these students speak English; Everyone is leaving — most have gone already.
More\, a., compar. [Positive wanting; superl. Most.] [OE. more, mare, and (orig. neut. and adv.) mo, ma, AS. m[=a]ra, and (as neut. and adv.) m[=a]; akin to D. meer, OS. m[=e]r, G. mehr, OHG. m[=e]ro, m[=e]r, Icel. meiri, meirr, Dan. meere, meer, Sw. mera, mer, Goth. maiza, a., mais, adv., and perh. to L. major greater, compar. of magnus great, and magis, adv., more. [root]103. Cf. Most, uch, Major.]1. Greater; superior; increased; as: (a) Greater in quality, amount, degree, quality, and the like; with the singular. He gat more money. --Chaucer. If we procure not to ourselves more woe. --Milton. Note: More, in this sense, was formerly used in connection with some other qualifying word, -- a, the, this, their, etc., -- which now requires the substitution of greater, further, or the like, for more. Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse height, Do make them music for their more delight. --Spenser. The more part knew not wherefore they were come together. --Acts xix. 32. Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt. --Shak. (b) Greater in number; exceeding in numbers; -- with the plural. The people of the children of Israel are more and mighter than we. --Ex. i. 9. 2. Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more words to conquer. With open arms received one poet more. --Pope.
More\, a., compar. [Positive wanting; superl. Most.] [OE. more, mare, and (orig. neut. and adv.) mo, ma, AS. m[=a]ra, and (as neut. and adv.) m[=a]; akin to D. meer, OS. m[=e]r, G. mehr, OHG. m[=e]ro, m[=e]r, Icel. meiri, meirr, Dan. meere, meer, Sw. mera, mer, Goth. maiza, a., mais, adv., and perh. to L. major greater, compar. of magnus great, and magis, adv., more. [root]103. Cf. Most, uch, Major.]1. Greater; superior; increased; as: (a) Greater in quality, amount, degree, quality, and the like; with the singular. He gat more money. --Chaucer. If we procure not to ourselves more woe. --Milton. Note: More, in this sense, was formerly used in connection with some other qualifying word, -- a, the, this, their, etc., -- which now requires the substitution of greater, further, or the like, for more. Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse height, Do make them music for their more delight. --Spenser. The more part knew not wherefore they were come together. --Acts xix. 32. Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt. --Shak. (b) Greater in number; exceeding in numbers; -- with the plural. The people of the children of Israel are more and mighter than we. --Ex. i. 9. 2. Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more words to conquer. With open arms received one poet more. --Pope.
Most\, a., superl. of More. [OE. most, mast, mest, AS. m?st; akin to D. meest, OS. m[=e]st, G. meist, Icel. mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. [root]103. See More, a.]1. Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness." --Prov. xx. 6. The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done. --Matt. xi. 20. 2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. "In the moste pride." --Chaucer. 3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Note: Most is used as a noun, the words part, portion, quantity, etc., being omitted, and has the following meanings: 1. The greatest value, number, or part; preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The utmost; greatest possible amount, degree, or result; especially in the phrases to make the most of, at the most, at most. A quarter of a year or some months at the most. --Bacon. A covetous man makes the most of what he has. --L'Estrange. For the most part, in reference to the larger part of a thing, or to the majority of the persons, instances, or things referred to; as, human beings, for the most part, are superstitious; the view, for the most part, was pleasing. Most an end, generally. See An end, under End, n. [Obs.] "She sleeps most an end." --Massinger.
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