last

last

last¹ [last, läst]

adj.

[ME laste, earlier latest, latst < OE latost, superl. of adj. læt, adv. late: see LATE]

1. alt. superl. of LATE

2. being or coming after all others in place; farthest from the first; hindmost

3. coming after all others in time; farthest from the beginning; latest

4. only remaining [took the last chocolate in the box]

5. directly before the present [last month]

6. farthest from what is expected; least likely [would be the last person to suspect anything]

7. utmost; greatest

8. coming after all others in importance; lowest in rank

9. newest [the last thing in hats]

10. conclusive; authoritative [the last word in scientific research]

11. individual: used as an intensive [to spend every last cent]

adv.

1. alt. superl. of LATE

2. after all others; at the end

3. most recently

4. finally; in conclusion

n.

1. someone or something which comes last [the last of the kings]

2. the final or concluding part; end [friends to the last]

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at long last or at last

after a long time; finally

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see the last of

to see for the last time

last² [last, läst]

vi.

[ME lasten < OE læstan, akin to Ger leisten, vt., to perform, carry out, Goth laistjan, lit., to follow in the track of < IE base * leis-, a track, spoor > L lira, furrow (see LEARN): sense development: to follow — to go on, continue]

1. to remain in existence or operation; continue; go on; endure

2. to remain in good condition; wear well

3. to continue unconsumed, unspent, etc. [enough food to last for a month]

vt.

to continue or endure throughout: often with out [doubtful whether he can last (out) the training period]

SYN.- CONTINUE

laster

n.

last³ [last, läst]

n.

[ME laste < OE læst, a boot, læste, shoemaker's last < base of last, footstep, track, furrow < same base as LAST²]

a block or form shaped like a person's foot, on which shoes are made or repaired

vt.

to form with a last

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stick to one's last

1. to keep to one's own work

2. to mind one's own business

laster

n.

last⁴ [last, läst]

n.

[ME laste < OE hlæst (akin to Ger last, OHG hlast) < base of hladan: see LADE]

a measure or weight that varies for different things and in different places, often one equal to 4,000 pounds