in the least degree
1At the least — 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;… …
2In the least — 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;… …
3the least — lowest in importance or degree (e.g.: The lunch meeting is the least of my worries today ); minimal in size or magnitude (e.g.: The least amount of cholesterol allowed ) …
4the least bit — adverb in the slightest degree or in any respect (Freq. 2) Are you at all interested? No, not at all was not in the least unfriendly • Syn: ↑at all, ↑in the least …
5in the least — adverb 1. in the slightest degree or in any respect Are you at all interested? No, not at all was not in the least unfriendly • Syn: ↑at all, ↑the least bit 2. to any extent at all are you in the least interested? • Syn: ↑ …
6to the lowest degree — adverb used to form the superlative The garter snake is the least dangerous snake • Syn: ↑least • Ant: ↑most (for: ↑least) …
7Least — (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… …
8Least squares — 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;… …
9not in the least — not in the smallest degree; not at all he was not in the least taken aback * * * not (in) the least : not at all : not in any way or respect It did not interest me in the least. [=it did not interest me at all] He did …
10in the least — {adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount. Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Sue did not understand physics in the least./ * /Are you in the least interested in sewing?/ * /Mother won t be upset if you come… …
