- least
- O.E. lęst, earlier lęsest "smallest" (superlative of lęs "smaller, less"), from P.Gmc. *laisistaz. Qualifying phrase at least is M.E. ęt lęstan. Colloquial leastways (1825), regarded as vulgar is simply a one-word form of Chaucer's leest weye (late 14c.).