lesser Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective of less size or importance
    • the lesser anteater
    • the lesser of two evils
  2. adjective satellite smaller in size or amount or value
    • the lesser powers of Europe
    • the lesser anteater
  3. adjective (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree
    less.
    • of less importance
    • less time to spend with the family
    • a shower uses less water
    • less than three years old
  4. adjective satellite (usually preceded by `no') lower in quality
    less.
    • no less than perfect
  5. adjective satellite (nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer
    less.
    • less than three weeks
    • no less than 50 people attended
    • in 25 words or less

WordNet

Less"er adjective
Etymology
This word is formed by adding anew the compar. suffix -er (in which r is from an original s) to less. See Less, a.
Definitions
  1. Less; smaller; inferior.
    God made . . . the lesser light to rule the night. Gen. i. 15.
    ✍ Lesser is used for less, now the compar. of little, in certain special instances in which its employment has become established by custom; as, Lesser Asia (i. e., Asia Minor), the lesser light, and some others; also in poetry, for the sake of the meter, and in prose where its use renders the passage more euphonious.
    The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace. Shak.
    The larger here, and there the lesser lambs. Pope.
    By the same reason may a man, in the state of nature, punish the lesser breaches of the law. Locke.
Less"er adverb
Definitions
  1. Less. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913