Etimology
From Middle English leste, lest, last, from Old English lǣst, a contraction of læsast, læsest, lærest (“least”), from Proto-Germanic *laisistaz (“smallest; least”), related to Old English læs (“less”). Cognate with Old Frisian leist, Old Saxon lēs. More at less.
determiner
least (comparative less)
The most little; the smallest amount or quantity of something.
Examples
He earns the least money in his family. Of all the sisters, she has the least patience. I can only afford to pay the least of the bills. I'm giving least of all towards her present.
The least water we could find there was 4 fathoms, which bears from the point S.E., and is distant 1½ mile.
To have demolished and rebuilt the walls, would have been a very costly expedient, and as the least of two evils, the painter's brush was resorted to; here and there however, above some of the windows, the black wreathings of the smoke are still discernible through the white covering.
“Well,” I says, “I cal'late a body could get used to Tophet if he stayed there long enough.” ¶ She flared up; the least mite of a slam at Doctor Wool was enough to set her going.
Charles had not been employed above six months at Darracott Place, but he was not such a whopstraw as to make the least noise in the performance of his duties when his lordship was out of humour.
Comparison of the four bogie designs shows that the Rugby-built A.E.I. bogie has the least number of components and a minimum of metallic wearing surfaces.
Light does not need to know in advance which is the path of least time because it takes all paths from its source to its destination.
adverb
least (negative superlative)
Used for forming superlatives of adjectives, especially those that do not form the superlative by adding -est.
In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others.
Examples
It was the least surprising thing.
to reward those who least deserve it
I never hid the truth, least of all from you.
I don't much like housework, and I like cooking least.
Related words
antonyms
most
noun
least (plural leasts)
(philosophy) Something of the smallest possible extent; an indivisible unit.
adjective
least
(archaic, outside of fixed terms) superlative degree of little; smallest
Examples
least weasel
least common multiple
Etimology
Contraction of at least.