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Webster 1913 Edition


Lesser

Less′er

(lĕs′ẽr)
,
Adj.
[This word is formed by adding anew the compar. suffix
-er
(in which
r
is from an original
s
) to
less
. See
Less
,
Adj.
]
Less; smaller; inferior.
God made . . . the
lesser
light to rule the night.
Gen. i. 15.
Lesser is used for less, now the compar. of little, in certain special instances in which its employment has become established by custom; as, Lesser Asia (i. e., Asia Minor), the lesser light, and some others; also in poetry, for the sake of the meter, and in prose where its use renders the passage more euphonious.
The more my prayer, the
lesser
is my grace.
Shakespeare
The larger here, and there the
lesser
lambs.
Pope.
By the same reason may a man, in the state of nature, punish the
lesser
breaches of the law.
Locke.

Less′er

,
adv.
Less.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Lesser

LESS'ER

,
Adj.
[This word is a corruption; but too well established to be discarded.]
Less; smaller. Authors always write the Lesser Asia.
By the same reason, may a man in a state of nature, punish the lesser breaches of that law.
God made the lesser light to rule the night. Gen. 1.

Definition 2024


lesser

lesser

English

Adjective

lesser

  1. comparative form of little: more little
  2. of two things, the smaller in size, value, importance etc.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

lesser (plural lessers)

  1. a thing that is of smaller size, value, importance etc.
    the lesser of two evils
    The greater sand hills increasingly do not migrate, but almost all lessers do.

Translations

Related terms

Anagrams


Old French

Verb

lesser

  1. Alternative form of laissier

Conjugation

This verb conjugates as a first-group verb ending in -er. The forms that would normally end in *-ss, *-sss, *-sst are modified to s, s, st. This verb has irregularities in its conjugation. Old French conjugation varies significantly by date and by region. The following conjugation should be treated as a guide.