least
• determiner & pronoun (usu. the least) smallest in amount, extent, or significance. • adjective used in names of very small animals and plants: least shrew. • adverb to the smallest extent or degree. — PHRASES at least 1 not less than. 2 if nothing else. 3 anyway. at the least (or very least) 1 not less than. 2 taking the most pessimistic or unfavourable view. least said, soonest mended proverb a difficult situation will be resolved more quickly if there is no more discussion of it. not in the least not at all. not least in particular. to say the least to put it mildly. — ORIGIN Old English, related to LESS.
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