|
|
|
adverb Most adv. In the greatest or highest degree. "Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates." Note: Placed before an adjective or adverb, most is used to form the superlative degree, being equivalent to the termination -est; as, most vile, most wicked; most illustrious; most rapidly. Formerly, and until after the Elizabethan period of our literature, the use of the double superlative was common. See More, adv. "The most unkindest cut of all." "The most straitest sect of our religion."
adjective Most adj. superl. (superl. of More) 1.Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness." "The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done." 2.Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. "In the moste pride." 3.Highest in rank; greatest. (Obs.) Note: Most is used as a noun, the words part, portion, quantity, etc., being omitted, and has the following meanings: 1. The greatest value, number, or part; preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The utmost; greatest possible amount, degree, or result; especially in the phrases to make the most of, at the most, at most. "A quarter of a year or some months at the most." "A covetous man makes the most of what he has." For the most part, in reference to the larger part of a thing, or to the majority of the persons, instances, or things referred to; as, human beings, for the most part, are superstitious; the view, for the most part, was pleasing. Most an end, generally. See An end, under End, n. (Obs.) "She sleeps most an end."
More adj. compar. (superl. most) 1.Greater; superior; increased; as: (a)Greater in quality, amount, degree, quality, and the like; with the singular. "He gat more money." "If we procure not to ourselves more woe." Note: More, in this sense, was formerly used in connection with some other qualifying word, a, the, this, their, etc., which now requires the substitution of greater, further, or the like, for more. "Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse height, Do make them music for their more delight." "The more part knew not wherefore they were come together." "Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt." (b)Greater in number; exceeding in numbers; with the plural. "The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we." 2.Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. "With open arms received one poet more."
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
|
|
|
...
