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adverb Least adv. In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it.
adjective Least adj. (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." 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. "He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor." "Upon the mast they saw a young man, at least if he were a man, who sat as on horseback." In least, or In the least, in the least degree, manner, etc. "He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." 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.
Little adj. (the regular comparative and superlative of this word, littler and littlest, are often used as comparatives of the sense small; but in the sense few, less or, rarely, lesser is the proper comparative and least is the superlative) 1.Small in size or extent; not big; diminutive; opposed to big or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little hill; a little distance; a little child. "He sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature." 2.Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep. "Best him enough: after a little time, I'll beat him too." 3.Small in quantity or amount; not much; as, a little food; a little air or water. "Conceited of their little wisdoms, and doting upon their own fancies." 4.Small in dignity, power, or importance; not great; insignificant; contemptible. "When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes?" 5.Small in force or efficiency; not strong; weak; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertion;little effort; little care or diligence. "By sad experiment I know How little weight my words with thee can find." 6.Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous. "The long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise, Because their natures are little." Little chief. (Zool.) See Chief hare. Little Englander, an Englishman opposed to territorial expansion of the British Empire. See Antiimperialism, above. Hence: Little Englandism. Little finger, the fourth and smallest finger of the hand. Little go (Eng. Universities), a public examination about the middle of the course, which is less strict and important than the final one; called also smalls. Cf. Great go, under Great. Little hours (R. C. Ch.), the offices of prime, tierce, sext, and nones. Vespers and compline are sometimes included. Little-neck clam, or Little neck (Zool.), the quahog, or round clam. Little ones, young children. "The men, and the women, and the little ones." Little peach, a disease of peaches in which the fruit is much dwarfed, and the leaves grow small and thin. The cause is not known. Little Rhody, Rhode Island; a nickname alluding to its small size. It is the smallest State of the United States. Little Sisters of the Poor (R. C. Ch.), an order of women who care for old men and women and infirm poor, for whom special houses are built. It was established at St. Servan, Britany, France, in 1840, by the Abbé Le Pailleur. Little slam (Bridge Whist), the winning of 12 out of the 13 tricks. It counts 20 points on the honor score. Contrasted with grand slam.
conjunction Least conj. See Lest, conj. (Obs.)
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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