At the least

At the least
Least Least (l[=e]st), a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l[=ae]sast, l[=ae]sest, superl. of l[=ae]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. [1913 Webster]

Note: Least is often used with the, as if a noun. [1913 Webster]

I am the least of the apostles. --1 Cor. xv. 9. [1913 Webster]

{At least}, or {At the least}, at the least estimate, consideration, chance, etc.; being no less than; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See {However}. [1913 Webster]

He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • In the least — Least Least (l[=e]st), a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l[=ae]sast, l[=ae]sest, superl. of l[=ae]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 Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • in the least — {adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount. Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Sue did not understand physics in the least./ * /Are you in the least interested in sewing?/ * /Mother won t be upset if you come… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • in the least — {adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount. Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Sue did not understand physics in the least./ * /Are you in the least interested in sewing?/ * /Mother won t be upset if you come… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • to say the least — {v. phr.} To understate; express as mildly as possible. * /After all we did for him, his behavior toward us, to say the least, was a poor way to show his appreciation./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • to say the least — {v. phr.} To understate; express as mildly as possible. * /After all we did for him, his behavior toward us, to say the least, was a poor way to show his appreciation./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • not in the least — {adv. phr.} Not at all. * /She was not in the least interested in listening to a long lecture on ethics./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • not in the least — {adv. phr.} Not at all. * /She was not in the least interested in listening to a long lecture on ethics./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • at the least — See: AT LEAST …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • at the least — See: AT LEAST …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Least squares — The method of least squares is a standard approach to the approximate solution of overdetermined systems, i.e., sets of equations in which there are more equations than unknowns. Least squares means that the overall solution minimizes the sum of… …   Wikipedia

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