least

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   used to form the superlative

   The garter snake is the least dangerous snake

2. 2
   noun

   something that is of no importance

   it is the least I can do

3. 3
   adj

   Chiefly preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little.

   least common multiple

4. 4
   det

   Chiefly preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little.

   He earns the least money in his family.

5. 5
   adv

   In a degree below all others; in the lowest or smallest degree.

   My best routine was the one I had practised the least.

6. 6
   adv

   Used to form superlatives of adjectives, especially those that do not form the superlative by adding -est.

   It was the least surprising thing.

7. 7
   noun

   Preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little; the lowest-ranking or most insignificant person or (sometimes) group of people.

   even the least of

8. 8
   pron

   Chiefly preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little; the smallest amount or extent of something.

   I’m giving least of all towards her present.

Etymology

The adjective, determiner, and noun are derived from Middle English leste, lest, last (“(adjective) smallest, least; (noun) smallest thing, etc.; person or thing least in importance; etc.”), from Old English lǣst, a contraction of læsast, læsest (“least”) (also lærest in only one source), from Proto-Germanic *laisistaz (“smallest, least”), from *laisiz (“less”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂is- or *leh₃is-; whence modern English less) + *-istaz (“suffix forming superlative forms of some adjectives”). The adverb and pronoun are derived from the adjective or determiner. cognates * Old…