GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Found 2 definitions
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Most , a., superl. of More. [OE. most, mast, mest, AS. mǣst; akin to D. meest, OS. mēst, G. meist, Icel. mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. √103. See More, a.]
- 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.” Prov. xx. 6.1913 Webster
The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done.
Matt. xi. 20.1913 Webster - Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. “In the moste pride.”Chaucer.1913 Webster
- Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.]Chaucer.1913 Webster
☞ 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.
1913 WebsterA quarter of a year or some months at the most.
Bacon.1913 WebsterA covetous man makes the most of what he has.
L'Estrange.1913 WebsterFor 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.”
Massinger.1913 Webster
- 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.”
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Most, adv. [AS. mǣst. See Most, a.] In the greatest or highest degree.1913 Webster
Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates.
Milton.1913 Webster☞ 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.
1913 WebsterThe most unkindest cut of all.
Shak.1913 WebsterThe most straitest sect of our religion.
Acts xxvi. 5.1913 Webster