Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Most
Most
(mōst)
, Adj.
sup
of erl.
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
, Adj.
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.
The cities wherein
most
of his mighty works were done. Matt. xi. 20.
2.
Greatest in degree;
“In the moste pride.” as, he has the
. most
need of itChaucer.
3.
Highest in rank; greatest.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
☞ 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.
A quarter of a year or some months
at the most
. Bacon.
A covetous man
makes the most of
what he has. L’Estrange.
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
,
[Obs.]
“She sleeps most an end.” Massinger.
Most
,adv.
In the greatest or highest degree.
Those nearest to this king, and
most
his favorites, were courtiers and prelates. Milton.
☞ 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.
The
most unkindest
cut of all. Shakespeare
The
most straitest
sect of our religion. Acts xxvi. 5.
Webster 1828 Edition
Most
MOST
,Adj.
1.
Consisting of the greatest number. That scheme of life is to be preferred, which presents a prospect of the most advantages with the fewest inconveniences. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness. Prov.20.
2.
consisting of the greatest quantity; greatest; as the most part of the land or the mountain.MOST
,adv.
As most is used to express the superlative degree, it is used before any adjective; as most vile, most wicked, most illustrious.
MOST
,Noun.
1.
The greatest number or part. Then he began to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done. Matt.11.
[This use seems to have resulted form the omission of part, or some similar word,and most in this case signifies greatest, that is, the greatest part.]
2.
The most, the greatest value, amount or advantage, or the utmost in extent, degree or effect. A covetous man makes the most of what he has, and can get.
At the most, the greatest degree or quantity; the utmost extent. Stock brings six per cent. interest at the most, often less.