I. ˈlesə(r) adjective
Etymology: Middle English lasser, lesser, comp. of lasse, less less
1. : of less size, quality, or significance : smaller : inferior
lesser rivers
lesser men
lesser works
2. in plant or animal names : of a size less than that of similar forms
II. adverb
: less II 1
never a man in Christendom can lesser hide his love … than he — Shakespeare
— now used chiefly with an adjective to form the comparative
works of lesser -known composers — Music Lovers' Encyc.