I. ˈlast verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lǣstan to last, follow; akin to Old English lāst footprint
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to continue in time
2.
a. : to remain fresh or unimpaired : endure
b. : to manage to continue (as in a course of action)
c. : to continue to live
transitive verb
1. : to continue in existence or action as long as or longer than — often used with out
couldn't last out the training program
2. : to be enough for the needs of
the supplies will last them a week
Synonyms: see continue
• last·er noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lǣste, from lāst footprint; akin to Old High German leist shoemaker's last, Latin lira furrow — more at learn
Date: before 12th century
: a form (as of metal or plastic) which is shaped like the human foot and over which a shoe is shaped or repaired
III. transitive verb
Date: circa 1859
: to shape with a last
• last·er noun
IV. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English latost, superlative of læt late
Date: before 12th century
1. : after all others : at the end
came last and left first
2. : most lately
saw him last in Rome
3. : in conclusion
last , let's consider the social aspect
V. adjective
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : following all the rest
he was the last one out
b. : being the only remaining
our last dollar
2. : belonging to the final stage (as of life)
his last hours on earth
3.
a. : next before the present : most recent
last week
his last book was a failure
b. : most up-to-date : latest
it's the last thing in fashion
4.
a. : lowest in rank or standing ; also : worst
b. : farthest from a specified quality, attitude, or likelihood
would be the last person to fall for flattery
5.
a. : conclusive
there is no last answer to the problem
b. : highest in degree : supreme , ultimate
c. : distinct , separate — used as an intensive
ate every last piece of food
• last·ly adverb
Synonyms:
last , final , terminal , ultimate mean following all others (as in time, order, or importance). last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped
last page of a book
last news we had of him
final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress
final day of school
terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development
terminal phase of a disease
ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible
the ultimate collapse of the system
VI. noun
Date: 13th century
: something that is last
•
- at last