least
/liːst/
adjective/adverb
Origin
Old English
læsta — smallest, least
Overview
Meaning Now
- Smallest in size, amount, degree, or importance.
- Lowest in rank or position.
Literal older meaning
latest, last in sequence
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
læsta
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The word functions as the superlative form of 'little'. In Old English, 'læsta' was derived from the root 'læs' (less). It is closely related to the West Germanic word group for 'small' or 'feeble', reflecting a transition from spatial size to abstract quantity.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*laisistaz
“smallest”
Superlative of *laisa- (small).
- Old English
læsta
“smallest”
- Middle English
leste
“smallest”
Connections
Word parts
least
root
smallest degree
Related across languages
Old Saxon
lest
smallest
Old High German
leist
smallest
Explore next
Related to least
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.