less

Founding-era definition · Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

LESS, for unless. [Not in use.] LESS, A terminating syllable of many nouns and some adjectives. Hence it is a privative word, denoting destitution; as a witless man, a man destitute of wit; childless, without children; fatherless; faithless; penniless; lawless, etc. LESS, adjective Smaller; not so large or great; as a less quantity or number; a horse of less size or value. We are all destined to suffer affliction in a greater or less degree. LESS, adverb Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as less bright or loud; less beautiful; less obliging; less careful. The less a man praises himself, the more disposed are others to praise him. LESS, noun 1. Not so much. They gathered some more, some less Exodus 16:17. 2. An inferior. The less is blessed by the better. Hebrews 7:7. LESS, verb transitive To make less [Not in use.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI

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