The Collaborative International Dictionary
Least \Least\ (l[=e]st), a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l[=ae]sast, l[=ae]sest, superl. of l[=ae]ssa less. See Less, a.] [Used as the superlative of little.] Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space.
Note: Least is often used with the, as if a noun.
I am the least of the apostles.
--1 Cor. xv.
9.
At least, or At the least, at the least estimate, consideration, chance, etc.; being no less than; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See However.
He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses
The tempted with dishonor.
--Milton.
Upon the mast they saw a young man, at least if he
were a man, who sat as on horseback.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
In least, or In the least, in the least degree, manner,
etc. ``He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in
much.''
--Luke xvi. 10.
Least squares (Math.), a method of deducing from a number of carefully made yet slightly discordant observations of a phenomenon the most probable values of the unknown quantities.
Note: It takes as its fundamental principle that the most probable values are those which make the sum of the squares of the residual errors of the observation a minimum.
Usage examples of "in least".
For it is a fact that wu is customarily found in least imposing places, as in the Christian aphorism, 'stones rejected by the builder.
For it is a fact that wu is customarily found in least imposing places, as in the Christian aphorism, ‘.