'least

A form of least — Chiefly used with abstract nouns: less than all others in extent or size; littlest, smallest.

Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. alternativeAlternative form of least (“at least”).

    Murtaugh regards the body a moment. / MURTAUGH / 'Least he's no one's slave now.

    1998 May, Channing Gibson, Lethal Weapon 4 (screenplay), via the Internet Movie Script Database, archived from the original on 06 Oct 2018, page 24
    4 more examples

    ASH / lights the fire with his Zippo lighter and huddles near the flame for warmth. / ASH / 'least I won't freeze to death.

    1991 January 3, Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, The Army of Darkness (screenplay), page 38

    “Who’s playin’ here tonight?” Jack asked. / “The Rusty Cadillacs. They’re real good. ’Least I like ’em.” […] Everybody down here recognizes the first three notes of ‘Faded Love.’ ’Least the older folks do.” […] Think I’m feelin’ better somewhat, ’least tonight I am.

    1995, Robert James Waller, Border Music, New York, N.Y.: Warner Books, →ISBN, pages 30, 170, and 237

    She didn’t seem to want me much, either. ’Least she didn’t throw me off no ladder.

    2001, Jacquelyn L. Miles, Roseflower Creek, Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House Publishing, Inc., →ISBN, page 16

    “[…] You get a call, you go out, ask some questions, figure out why. Sometimes it’s easy. Guy robs a convenience store, shot the clerk.” Sam scratched his head. “Actually, don’t think we’ve had one of those around here. ’Least not while I was on the job. But that’s just a fer instance.[…]”

    2004, Parnell Hall, And a Puzzle to Die On (The Puzzle Lady Mysteries), New York, N.Y.: Bantam Dell, →ISBN, page 127
Cite this entry
APA

'least. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/'least

MLA

“'least.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/'least. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “'least,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/'least.

Source: 'least on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.