■ determiner & pronoun (usu. the ~ ) smallest in amount, extent, or significance.
■ adjective used in names of very small animals and plants: ~ shrew.
■ adverb to the smallest extent or degree.
Phrases
at ~
1》 not less than; at the minimum.
2》 if nothing else.
3》 anyway.
at the ~ (or very ~ )
1》 not less than; at the minimum.
2》 taking the most pessimistic or unfavourable view.
not in the ~ not in the smallest degree; not at all.
not ~ notably; in particular.
to say the ~ using moderate terms; to put it mildly.
Origin
OE lst , lsest , of Gmc origin; related to less .