'Least' definitions:
Definition of 'least'
(from WordNet)
adverb
Used to form the superlative; "The garter snake is the least dangerous snake" [syn: least, to the lowest degree] [ant: most, to the highest degree]
adjective
The superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree; "didn't care the least bit"; "he has the least talent of anyone" [ant: most(a)]
noun
Something that is of no importance; "it is the least I can do"; "that is the least of my concerns"
Definition of 'Least'
From: GCIDE
- Least \Least\ (l[=e]st), a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l[=ae]sast, l[=ae]sest, superl. of l[=ae]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. [1913 Webster]
- Note: Least is often used with the, as if a noun. [1913 Webster]
- I am the least of the apostles. --1 Cor. xv. 9. [1913 Webster]
- At least, or At the least, at the least estimate, consideration, chance, etc.; being no less than; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See However. [1913 Webster]
- He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Least'
From: GCIDE
- Least \Least\, adv. In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Least'
From: GCIDE
- Least \Least\, conj. See Lest, conj. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Leastways
Synonyms of 'least'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- at a disadvantage,
- at the nadir,
- below,
- below the mark,
- few,
- homely,
- humble,
- humble-looking,
- humble-visaged,
- humblest,
- in the gutter,
- inglorious,
- innocuous,
- least of all,
- less,
- littlest,
- low,
- lowest,
- lowliest,
- lowly,
- mean,
- minim,
- minimum,
- minority,
- minority group,
- modest,
- plain,
- poor,
- short of,
- shortest,
- simple,
- slightest,
- small,
- smallest,
- teachable,
- the few,
- the minority,
- under,
- under par,
- undistinguished,
- unimportant,
- unpretentious,
- we happy few
Words containing 'Least'
- At least,
- At the least,
- In least,
- In the least,
- least of all,
- Least square,
- Least squares,
- last but not least,
- last not least,
- least bittern,
- least effort,
- least resistance,
- least sandpiper,
- least shrew,
- the least bit,
- Solid of least resistance,
- least common multiple,
- line of least resistance,
- method of least squares,
- path of least resistance,
- new world least weasel,
- old world least weasel