/ ˈlesə(r); NAmE / adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
not as great in size, amount or importance as sth/sb else :
people of lesser importance
They were all involved to a greater or lesser degree (= some were more involved than others) .
The law was designed to protect wives, and, to a lesser extent, children.
He was encouraged to plead guilty to the lesser offence.
( humorous )
2.
used in the names of some types of animals, birds and plants which are smaller than similar kinds
OPP greater
► less·er adverb :
one of the lesser-known Caribbean islands
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IDIOMS
- the lesser of two evils | the lesser evil
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : a double comparative, from less + -er .