| 释义 |
least /liːst/ a. | n. | ad. | phr.
I a.
1. [little 的最高级]最少的；最小的；尽可能小的；(鸟类)很小的，极小型的
the line of least resistance 阻力最小的办法
the least finger of one's left hand 左手的小指
The least noise would startle the child. 最小的响声也会使孩子惊跳。
The least pressure would suffice to crack the tube. 一点儿微小的压力就足以使管子爆裂。
least bittern 小麻𫛚
2. 〈方〉年纪最小的(常用于短语 the least one 或 the least un 中)
3. 权力最小的，管得最少的；地位最低的，最无足轻重的
The Jeffersonian principle is that the best government is the least government. 杰斐逊的原则是最好的政府就是那管得最少的政府。
II n.
最少量；最小物；最卑微者
Let me do it. It's the least I can do. 这事让我来做吧，这是我所能做的最起码的事。
That's the least of my anxieties. 那是我最不担心的事。
Least isn't necessarily worst. 最少(或最小)的未必最差。
III ad.
[little 的最高级]最少，最小
That's the least important of all. 那是一切之中最不重要的。
He talks least. 他极少开口说话。
It happened just when we least expected it. 那事正好发生在我们最意想不到的时候。
[<OE lǣst,lǣssa less 的最高级] phr. at least 1. 至少 He drank at least half a bottle of whisky a day. 他每天至少喝半瓶威士忌酒。You should at least have warned her. 你至少该警告她。2. 无论如何；不管怎样；反正 He's not coming — at least that's what he said. 他不来了，不管怎样，他是这么说过的。at the (very) least 1. [用在数字后]至少 stay five days at the least 至少住上5天 2. 不管怎样，起码 in the least 丝毫，极少，一点儿 Are you in the least interested in skiing? 你对滑雪多少有点儿兴趣吗? least of all [多用于否定句](多者之中)尤其，尤数 No one, least of all the children, paid attention. 没有人注意，孩子们就更不用说了。least said, soonest mended 多说反坏事，越说越糟糕 not in the least 一点也不，丝毫不 I am not in the least worried. 我一点也不担心。It doesn't matter in the least. 这毫无问题。A: Would you mind holding this box? B: Not in the least. 甲：请你捧住这个盒子好吗? 乙：完全可以。not least 部分地，一部分地；相当重要地；尤其，特别 The programme was moving, not least because the narrator had the best voice in broadcasting. 节目很动人，叙事人的嗓音极好是相当重要的原因。We were very impressed by the new school, not least its own swimming pool. 新学校给我们很好的印象，特别是它还有自己的游泳池。not the least 丝毫不，全然不 I have not the least interest in his plans. 我对他的计划丝毫不感兴趣。I was not the least tired. 我一点都不累。the least said the better 言多必失，少说为佳 These being troubled times, the least said the better. 多事之秋，少说为佳。to say the least 至少可以说 We've been too indiscreet, to say the least. 至少可以说，我们一贯太轻率。His conduct that evening was to say the least curious. 他那天晚上的举动，说得最客气，也是够古怪的了。 |