資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Most \Most\, a., superl. of {More}. [OE. most, mast, mest, AS.
m?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.
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.'' --Chaucer.
3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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.'' --Massinger.