Definitions for: Lesser


[adj] smaller in size or amount or value; "the lesser powers of Europe"; "the lesser anteater"
[adj] of less size or importance; "the lesser anteater"; "the lesser of two evils"



Webster (1913) Definition: Less"er (-[~e]r), a. [This word is formed by adding
anew the compar. suffix -er (in which r is from an original
s) to less. See Less, a.]
Less; smaller; inferior.

God made . . . the lesser light to rule the night.
--Gen. i. 15.

Note: Lesser is used for less, now the compar. of little, in
certain special instances in which its employment has
become established by custom; as, Lesser Asia (i. e.,
Asia Minor), the lesser light, and some others; also in
poetry, for the sake of the meter, and in prose where
its use renders the passage more euphonious.

The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace.
--Shak.

The larger here, and there the lesser lambs.
--Pope.

By the same reason may a man, in the state of
nature, punish the lesser breaches of the law.
--Locke.


Less"er, adv.
Less. [Obs.] --Shak.

Synonyms: little, small

Antonyms: greater

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals starting with y
animals beginning with r
animals starting with x