GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Most (mōst), 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.]
   1. 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.
   
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   The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done. Matt. xi. 20.
   
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   2. Greatest in degree; as, “he has the most need of it”. “In the moste pride.”  Chaucer.
   
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   3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.]  Chaucer.
   
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   ☞ 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.
   
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   A quarter of a year or some months at the most. Bacon.
   
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   A covetous man makes the most of what he has. L'Estrange.
   
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   For 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.
   
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2.       
   Most, adv. [AS. mǣst. See Most, a.] In the greatest or highest degree.
   
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   Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates. Milton.
   
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   ☞ 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.
   
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   The most unkindest cut of all. Shak.
   
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   The most straitest sect of our religion. Acts xxvi. 5.
   
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