least: [OE] In origin, least is simply the superlative form of less. The prehistoric Germanic ancestor of less was *laisiz (itself a comparative form). Addition of the superlative suffix produced *laisistaz, which passed into Old English as lǣsest. Unchanged, this would have become in modern English *lessest, but it was contracted in the Old English period to lǣst, and so modern English has least. => less
least (adj.)
Old English læst, earlier læsest "smallest" (superlative of lytel "small"), from Proto-Germanic superlative *laisistaz (see less). Qualifying phrase at least is Middle English æt læstan. As a noun, from early 12c.; as an adverb, c. 1200.
实用例句
1. Try to eat at least four slices of bread a day.
每天尽量至少吃4片面包。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He is the least appealing character, to me at any rate.
他是其中最没有吸引力的角色，至少对我来说是这样。
来自柯林斯例句
3. At least three British golf courses are now owned by the Japanese.
现在英国至少有3家高尔夫球场为日本人所有。
来自柯林斯例句
4. At least this second meeting had helped to thaw the atmosphere.
这第二次会议至少起到了缓和气氛的作用。
来自柯林斯例句
5. I don't have the least idea of what you're talking about.
