least(n = noun.cognition) - something that is of no importance; "it is the least I can do"; "that is the least of my concerns"
is a kind of affair, matter, thing
least(a = adj.all) - the superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree; "didn't care the least bit"; "he has the least talent of anyone"
Antonym: most
least(r = adv.all) to the lowest degree - used to form the superlative; "The garter snake is the least dangerous snake"
Antonym: most
Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space. [1913 Webster]
" Least is often used with the, as if a noun." [1913 Webster]
"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." [1913 Webster]
"I am the least of the apostles." [1913 Webster]
"He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses
The tempted with dishonor." [1913 Webster]
"Upon the mast they saw a young man, at least if he were a man, who sat as on horseback."
In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it. [1913 Webster]
See Lest,
least, adj., n., & adv.
--adj.
1 smallest, slightest, most insignificant.
2 (prec. by the; esp. with neg.) any at all (it does not make the least difference).
3 (of a species or variety) very small (least tern).
--n. the least amount.
--adv. in the least degree.
Idiom:
at least
1 at all events; anyway; even if there is doubt about a more extended statement.
2 (also at the least) not less than. in the least (or the least) (usu. with neg.) in the smallest degree; at all (not in the least offended). least common denominator, multiple see DENOMINATOR, MULTIPLE. to say the least (or the least of it) used to imply the moderation of a statement (that is doubtful to say the least).
Etymology:
OE l{aelig}st, l{aelig}sest f. Gmc
N inferiority, minority, subordinacy, shortcoming, deficiency, minimum, smallness, imperfection, lower quality, lower worth, commonalty, inferior, smaller, small, minor, less, lesser, deficient, minus, lower, subordinate, secondary, secondrate, sub, subaltern, thrown into the shade, weighed in the balance and found wanting, not fit to hold a candle to, can't hold a candle to, least, smallest &c (little) (small), lowest, diminished, reduced, unimportant, less, under the mark, below the mark, below par, at the bottom of the scale, at a low ebb, at a disadvantage, short of, under.
at least, at the least, in the least, last but not least, last not least, least bittern, least common multiple, least effort, least of all, least resistance, least sandpiper, least shrew, least squares, line of least resistance, method of least squares, new world least weasel, old world least weasel, path of least resistance, the least bit