4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Least  \Least\,  adv 
  In  the  smallest  or  lowest  degree;  in  a  degree  below  all 
  others  as  to  reward  those  who  least  deserve  it 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Least  \Least\,  conj. 
  See  {Lest},  conj.  [Obs.]  --Spenser. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Least  \Least\,  a.  [OE.  last  lest,  AS  l?sast,  l?sest,  superl. 
  of  l?ssa  less  See  {Less},  a.]  [Used  as  the  superlative  of 
  little.] 
  Smallest,  either  in  size  or  degree;  shortest;  lowest;  most 
  unimportant;  as  the  least  insect;  the  least  mercy;  the  least 
  space. 
 
  Note:  Least  is  often  used  with  the  as  if  a  noun 
 
  I  am  the  least  of  the  apostles.  --1  Cor.  xv 
  9. 
 
  {At  least},  or  {At  the  least},  at  the  least  estimate, 
  consideration,  chance,  etc.;  hence  at  any  rate;  at  all 
  events;  even  See  {However}. 
 
  He  who  tempts,  though  in  vain,  at  least  asperses  The 
  tempted  with  dishonor.  --Milton. 
 
  Upon  the  mast  they  saw  a  young  man,  at  least  if  he 
  were  a  man,  who  sat  as  on  horseback.  --Sir  P. 
  Sidney. 
 
 
  {In  least},  or  {In  the  least},  in  the  least  degree,  manner, 
  etc  ``He  that  is  unjust  in  the  least  is  unjust  also  in 
  much.''  --Luke  xvi.  10. 
 
  {Least  squares}  (Math.),  a  method  of  deducing  from  a  number 
  of  carefully  made  yet  slightly  discordant  observations  of 
  a  phenomenon  the  most  probable  values  of  the  unknown 
  quantities. 
 
  Note:  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  least 
  adj  1:  (superlative  of  `little'  used  with  mass  nouns;  usually 
  preceded  by  `the')  quantifier  meaning  smallest  in 
  amount  or  extent  or  degree;  "didn't  care  the  least 
  bit";  "he  has  the  least  talent  of  anyone"  [syn:  {least(a)}] 
  [ant:  {most(a)}] 
  2:  minimal  in  magnitude;  "lowest  wages";  "the  least  amount  of 
  fat  allowed";  "the  smallest  amount"  [syn:  {lowest},  {smallest}] 
  3:  having  or  being  distinguished  by  diminutive  size;  "the  least 
  bittern"  [syn:  {littlest},  {smallest}] 
  n  :  lowest  or  smallest  in  size  or  degree  or  importance:  "least 
  said  soonest  mended" 
  adv  :  used  to  form  the  superlative;  "The  garter  snake  is  the  least 
  dangerous  snake"  [syn:  {to  the  lowest  degree}]  [ant:  {most}] 

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