Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Least"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

least
adj 1: (superlative of `little' used with mass nouns; usually
preceded by `the') quantifier meaning smallest in
amount or extent or degree; "didn't care the least
bit"; "he has the least talent of anyone" [syn: {least(a)}]
[ant: {most(a)}]
2: minimal in magnitude; "lowest wages"; "the least amount of
fat allowed"; "the smallest amount" [syn: {lowest}, {smallest}]
3: having or being distinguished by diminutive size; "the least
bittern" [syn: {littlest}, {smallest}]
adv : used to form the superlative; "The garter snake is the least
dangerous snake" [syn: {to the lowest degree}] [ant: {most}]


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