most
(a.)最多的;多數的,大部分的(ad.)最,最多;很,十分大多數,大部分
most
最
Most a., superl. of More.
1. Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.”
The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done. --Matt. xi. 20.
2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. “In the moste pride.”
3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.]
Note: ☞ Most is used as a noun, the words part, portion, quantity, etc., being omitted, and has the following meanings: 1. The greatest value, number, or part; preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The utmost; greatest possible amount, degree, or result; especially in the phrases to make the most of, at the most, at most.
A quarter of a year or some months at the most. --Bacon.
A covetous man makes the most of what he has. --L'Estrange.
For the most part, in reference to the larger part of a thing, or to the majority of the persons, instances, or things referred to; as, human beings, for the most part, are superstitious; the view, for the most part, was pleasing.
Most an end, generally. See An end, under End, n. [Obs.] “She sleeps most an end.”
Most, adv. In the greatest or highest degree.
Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates. --Milton.
Note: ☞ Placed before an adjective or adverb, most is used to form the superlative degree, being equivalent to the termination -est; as, most vile, most wicked; most illustrious; most rapidly. Formerly, and until after the Elizabethan period of our literature, the use of the double superlative was common. See More, adv.
The most unkindest cut of all. --Shak.
The most straitest sect of our religion. --Acts xxvi. 5.
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Much a. [Compar. & superl. wanting, but supplied by More and Most from another root.]
1. Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much rain has fallen; much time.
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in. --Deut. xxviii. 38.
2. Many in number. [Archaic]
Edom came out against him with much people. --Num. xx. 20.
3. High in rank or position. [Obs.]
More, a., compar. [Positive wanting; superl. Most ]
1. Greater; superior; increased; as: (a) Greater in quality, amount, degree, quality, and the like; with the singular.
He gat more money. --Chaucer.
If we procure not to ourselves more woe. --Milton.
Note: ☞ More, in this sense, was formerly used in connection with some other qualifying word, -- a, the, this, their, etc., -- which now requires the substitution of greater, further, or the like, for more.
Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse height,
Do make them music for their more delight. --Spenser.
The more part knew not wherefore they were come together. --Acts xix. 32.
Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt. --Shak.
(b) Greater in number; exceeding in numbers; -- with the plural.
The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. --Ex. i. 9.
2. Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer.
With open arms received one poet more. --Pope.
most
adj 1: (superlative of `many' used with count nouns and often
preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the greatest in
number; "who has the most apples?"; "most people like
eggs"; "most fishes have fins" [syn: most(a)] [ant:
fewest(a)]
2: the superlative of `much' that can be used with mass nouns
and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning the
greatest in amount or extent or degree; "made the most
money he could"; "what attracts the most attention?";
"made the most of a bad deal" [syn: most(a)] [ant: least(a)]
adv 1: used to form the superlative; "the king cobra is the most
dangerous snake" [syn: to the highest degree] [ant:
least]
2: very; "a most welcome relief"
3: (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite
accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for
`nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for
`almost'; "the job is (just) about done"; "the baby was
almost asleep when the alarm sounded"; "we're almost
finished"; "the car all but ran her down"; "he nearly
fainted"; "talked for nigh onto 2 hours"; "the recording
is well-nigh perfect"; "virtually all the parties signed
the contract"; "I was near exhausted by the run"; "most
everyone agrees" [syn: about, just about, almost, all
but, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh]