least definition | Dictionary.com

least

[leest]

–adjective, a superl. of little with less or lesser as compar.

1.	smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.; slightest: He gave the least amount of money of anyone.

2.	lowest in consideration, position, or importance.

–noun

3.	something that is least; the least amount, quantity, degree, etc.

4.	South Midland U.S. the youngest in a family or group.

–adverb superl. of little with less as compar.

5.	to the smallest extent, amount, or degree: That's the least important question of all. He talks least.

—Idioms

at least,

a.	at the lowest estimate or figure: The repairs will cost at least $100.

b.	at any rate; in any case: You didn't get a good grade, but at least you passed the course.

Also, at the least.

7.	not in the least, not in the smallest degree; not at all: I am not in the least concerned about the outcome of the World Series.

Origin:
bef. 950; ME leest(e), OE lǣst, superl. of lǣssa less

lit⋅tle

[lit-l]

adjective, lit⋅tler or less or less⋅er, lit⋅tlest or least, adverb, less, least, noun

–adjective

1.	small in size; not big; not large; tiny: a little desk in the corner of the room.

2.	short in duration; not extensive; short; brief: a little while.

3.	small in number: a little group of scientists.

4.	small in amount or degree; not much: little hope.

5.	of a certain amount; appreciable (usually prec. by a): We're having a little difficulty.

6.	being such on a small scale: little farmers.

7.	younger or youngest: He's my little brother.

8.	not strong, forceful, or loud; weak: a little voice.

9.	small in consideration, importance, position, affluence, etc.: little discomforts; tax reductions to help the little fellow.

10.	mean, narrow, or illiberal: a little mind.

11.	endearingly small or considered as such: Bless your little heart!

12.	amusingly small or so considered: a funny little way of laughing.

13.	contemptibly small, petty, mean, etc., or so considered: filthy little political tricks.

–adverb

14.	not at all (used before a verb): He little knows what awaits him.

15.	in only a small amount or degree; not much; slightly: a little known work of art; little better than a previous effort.

16.	seldom; rarely; infrequently: We see each other very little.

–noun

17.	a small amount, quantity, or degree: They did little to make him comfortable. If you want some ice cream, there's a little in the refrigerator.

18.	a short distance: It's down the road a little.

19.	a short time: Stay here for a little.

—Idioms

20.	in little, on a small scale; in miniature: a replica in little of Independence Hall.

21.	little by little, by small degrees; gradually: The water level rose little by little.

22.

make little of,

a.	belittle: to make little of one's troubles.

b.	to understand or interpret only slightly: Scholars made little of the newly discovered text.

23.	not a little, to a great extent; very much; considerably: It tired me not a little to stand for three hours.

24.	think little of, to treat casually; regard as trivial: They think little of driving 50 miles to see a movie.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME, OE lȳtel (lȳt few, small + -el dim. suffix), c. D luttel, OHG luzzil, ON lītill

Related forms:

lit⋅tlish [lit-l-ish, lit-lish]

, adjective

lit⋅tle⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1–4. tiny, teeny, wee. Little, diminutive, minute, small refer to that which is not large or significant. Little (the opposite of big) is very general, covering size, extent, number, quantity, amount, duration, or degree: a little boy; a little time. Small (the opposite of large and of great) can many times be used interchangeably with little, but is especially applied to what is limited or below the average in size: small oranges. Diminutive denotes (usually physical) size that is much less than the average or ordinary; it may suggest delicacy: the baby's diminutive fingers; diminutive in size but autocratic in manner. Minute suggests that which is so tiny it is difficult to discern, or that which implies attentiveness to the smallest details: a minute quantity; a minute exam.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To least

least (lēst)

adj. A superlative of little.

Lowest in importance or rank.
1. Smallest in magnitude or degree.
2. Slightest or tiniest: didn't care the least bit.

adv. Superlative of little.
To or in the lowest or smallest degree.
n. One that is the lowest or smallest in importance, rank, magnitude, or degree: The dinner menu is the least of my worries tonight. The least you can do is to be polite.

[Middle English, from Old English lǣst; see leis-² in Indo-European roots.]

lit·tle (lĭt'l)

adj. lit·tler or less (lěs) also less·er (lěs'ər), lit·tlest or least (lēst)

Small in size: a little dining room. See Synonyms at small.
Short in extent or duration; brief: There is little time left.
Small in quantity or degree: little money.
Unimportant; trivial: a little matter.
Narrow; petty: mean little comments; a little mind consumed with trivia.
Without much power or influence; of minor status.
1. Being at an early stage of growth; young: a little child.
2. Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling: My little brother is leaving for college next week.

adv. less or lesser, least

Not much; scarcely: works long hours, sleeping little.
Not in the least; not at all: They little expected such a generous gift.

A small quantity or amount: Give me a little.
Something much less than all: I know little of their history.
A short distance or time: a little down the road; waited a little.

[Middle English, from Old English lȳtel.]
lit'tle·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Least

Least\, a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l?sast, l?sest, superl. of l?ssa less. See Less, a.] [Used as the superlative of little.] Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space.

Note: Least is often used with the, as if a noun.

I am the least of the apostles. --1 Cor. xv. 9.

At least, or At the least, at the least estimate, consideration, chance, etc.; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See However.

He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor. --Milton.

Upon the mast they saw a young man, at least if he were a man, who sat as on horseback. --Sir P. Sidney.

In least, or In the least, in the least degree, manner, etc. "He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." --Luke xvi. 10.

Least squares (Math.), a method of deducing from a number of carefully made yet slightly discordant observations of a phenomenon the most probable values of the unknown quantities.

Note: It takes as its fundamental principle that the most probable values are those which make the sum of the squares of the residual errors of the observation a minimum.

Least

Least\, adv. In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it.

Least

Least\, conj. See Lest, conj. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Language Translation for : least

Spanish: lo menos, lo mínimo,

German: geringst,

Japanese: 最小の

More Translations »

least

O.E. læst, earlier læsest "smallest" (superlative of læs "smaller, less"), from P.Gmc. *laisistaz. Qualifying phrase at least is M.E. æt læstan. Colloquial leastways (1825), regarded as vulgar is simply a one-word form of Chaucer's leest weye (c.1386).

Main Entry: least
superlative of LITTLE

least

In addition to the idioms beginning with least, also see at least; in the least; last but not least; to say the least.

Search another word or see least on Thesaurus | Reference

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