(~st)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
Note: 'Mere' does not have a comparative form. The superlative form '~st' is used to emphasize how small something is, rather than in comparisons.
1.
You use ~ to emphasize how unimportant or inadequate something is, in comparison to the general situation you are describing.
...successful exhibitions which go beyond ~ success...
There is more to good health than the ~ absence of disease...
She’d never received the ~st hint of any communication from him.
ADJ: ADJ n emphasis
2.
You use ~ to indicate that a quality or action that is usually unimportant has a very important or strong effect.
The ~ mention of food had triggered off hunger pangs...
The team manager has been quick to clamp down on the ~st hint of complacency.
ADJ: ADJ n
3.
You use ~ to emphasize how small a particular amount or number is.
Sixty per cent of teachers are women, but a ~ 5 percent of women are heads and deputies...
ADJ: a ADJ amount emphasis