from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Most \Most\ (m[=o]st), a., superl. of {More}. [OE. most, mast,
mest, AS. m[=ae]st; akin to D. meest, OS. m[=e]st, G. meist,
Icel. mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E.
more. [root]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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Note: 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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