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-est definition

-est (est, ist, əst)

  1. Etymology: ME < OE -est, -ost, -ast, superl. suffix of adj. & adv., akin to OHG -isto < IE *-istho- (> Gr -isto-, Sans -išṭha-)

    forming the superlative degree of most adjectives and adverbs of one or two syllables greatest, soonest

  2. Etymology: ME < OE -est, -ast, 2d pers. sing., pres. tense inflection < IE *-si, *-s + initial dental of enclitic pron.: see thou

    forming the archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of verbs [goest]: in certain cases, it becomes -st hadst

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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