most

Adjective · Adverb

Synonyms: most(a)to the highest degree about almost nearly near nigh virtually well-nigh

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

(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”Synonyms: most(a)
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”Synonyms: most(a)

Adverb (3)

used to form the superlative“the king cobra is the most dangerous snake”Synonyms: to the highest degree
very“a most welcome relief”
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but“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”Synonyms: about almost nearly near nigh virtually well-nigh

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Much \Much\ (m[u^]ch), a. [Compar. & superl. wanting, but supplied by More (m[=o]r), and Most (m[=o]st), from another root.] [OE. moche, muche, miche, prob. the same as mochel, muchel, michel, mikel, fr. AS. micel, mycel; cf. Gr. me`gas, fem. mega`lh, great, and Icel. mj["o]k, adv., much. [root]103. See Mickle.]

1.Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much rain has fallen; much time. [1913 Webster]

Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in.— Deut. xxviii. 38.[1913 Webster]

2.Many in number. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]

Edom came out against him with much people.— Num. xx. 20.[1913 Webster]

3.High in rank or position. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Most \Most\ (m[=o]st), a., superl. of More. [OE. most, mast, mest, AS. m[=ae]st; akin to D. meest, OS. m[=e]st, G. meist, Icel. mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. [root]103. See More, a.]

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." --Prov. xx. 6. [1913 Webster]

The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done.— Matt. xi. 20.[1913 Webster]

2.Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. "In the moste pride." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

3.Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

A quarter of a year or some months at the most.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

A covetous man makes the most of what he has.— L'Estrange.[1913 Webster]

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." --Massinger. [1913 Webster]

Most \Most\, adv. [AS. m[=ae]st. See Most, a.] In the greatest or highest degree. [1913 Webster]

Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

The most unkindest cut of all.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

The most straitest sect of our religion.— Acts xxvi. 5.[1913 Webster]

More \More\, a., compar. [Positive wanting; superl. Most (m[=o]st).] [OE. more, mare, and (orig. neut. and adv.) mo, ma, AS. m[=a]ra, and (as neut. and adv.) m[=a]; akin to D. meer, OS. m[=e]r, G. mehr, OHG. m[=e]ro, m[=e]r, Icel. meiri, meirr, Dan. meere, meer, Sw. mera, mer, Goth. maiza, a., mais, adv., and perh. to L. major greater, compar. of magnus great, and magis, adv., more. [root]103. Cf. Most, uch, Major.]

1.Greater; superior; increased; as: (a) Greater in quality, amount, degree, quality, and the like; with the singular. [1913 Webster]

He gat more money.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

If we procure not to ourselves more woe.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse height, Do make them music for their more delight.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

The more part knew not wherefore they were come together.— Acts xix. 32.[1913 Webster]

Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) Greater in number; exceeding in numbers;— with the plural.[1913 Webster]

The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.— Ex. i. 9.[1913 Webster]

2.Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. [1913 Webster]

With open arms received one poet more.— Pope.[1913 Webster]