̈ɪməust adj., n., & adv. --adj. 1 existing in
the greatest
quantity or
degree (you
have made most mistakes; see
who can
make the most noise). 2 the
majority of;
nearly all of (most
people think so). --n. 1 the greatest quantity or
number (this is the most I can do). 2 (the most) sl. the
best of all. 3 the majority (most of
them are missing). --adv. 1 in the highest degree (this is most
interesting;
what most annoys me). 2 forming the
superlative of adjectives
and adverbs,
esp.
those of
more than one syllable (most
certain; most easily). 3 US colloq.
almost. øat most no more or better than (this is at most a makeshift). at the most 1 as the greatest
amount. 2
not more than.
for the most
part 1 as regards the greater part. 2 usually. make the most of 1
employ to the best
advantage. 2
represent at
its best or
worst. Most
Honourable a
title given to marquises and to members of the
Privy Council and the
Order of the
Bath. Most
Reverend a title given to archbishops and to
Roman Catholic bishops. [OE mast f. Gmc]
