[less] adj, comparative of [1]little [ME, partly fr. OE laes, adv. & n.; partly fr. laessa, adj.; akin to OFris les less] (bef. 12c) 1: constituting a more limited number "~ than three"
2: of lower rank, degree, or importance "no ~ a person than the president himself" 3 a: of reduced size, extent, or degree b: more limited in quantity "in ~ time" usage The traditional view is that less applies to matters of degree, value, or amount and modifies collective nouns, mass nouns, or nouns denoting an abstract whole while fewer applies to matters of number and modifies plural nouns. Less has been used to modify plural nouns since the days of King Alfred and the usage, though roundly decried, appears to be increasing. Less is more likely than fewer to modify plural nouns when distances, sums of money, and a few fixed phrases are involved "less than 100 miles" "an investment of less than $2000" "in 25 words or less" and as likely as fewer to modify periods of time "in less (or fewer) than four hours".
[2]less adv, comparative of
[2]little (bef. 12c): to a lesser extent or degree -- less and less : to a progressively smaller size or extent -- less than : by no means: not at all "less than honest in his replies" [3]less n, pl less (bef. 12c) 1: a smaller portion or quantity
2: something of less importance [4]less prep (15c): diminished by: minus