MEREST

[adjective] [not gradable]You say the merest to emphasize the surprising or strong effect of a very small action or event.The baby sleeps so badly that the merest noise wakes her up.The merest mention of seafood makes Guy feel sick.The merest suggestion that the car crash was partly his fault sent him into an angry rage.The merest also means the smallest.I managed to escape the fighting by the merest chance.