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last1 definition

last (last, läst)

adjective

  1. 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

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

adverb

  1. late
  2. after all others; at the end
  3. most recently
  4. finally; in conclusion

noun

  1. someone or something which comes last the last of the kings
  2. the final or concluding part; end friends to the last
last Idioms

at (long) last

after a long time; finally

see the last of

to see for the last time
last2 definition

last (last, läst)

intransitive verb

  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

Etymology: 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

transitive verb

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

Related Forms:

last3 definition

last (last, läst)

noun

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

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

transitive verb

to form with a last

Related Forms:

last Idioms

stick to one's last

  1. to keep to one's own work
  2. to mind one's own business
last4 definition

last (last, läst)

noun

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

Etymology: ME laste < OE hlæst (akin to Ger last, OHG hlast) < base of hladan: see lade

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business last definition - business

idioms last idiom

last Synonyms

last

modif.

  1. Final

    ultimate, utmost, lowest, meanest, least, latest, latter, end, extreme, remotest, furthest, outermost, farthest, uttermost, conclusive, concluding, hindmost, far, far-off, aftermost, hindermost, determinative, determinate, ulterior, once and for all, definitive, after all others, ending, at the end, terminal, eventual, antipodal, terminative, terminating, directing, settling, resolving, decisive, crowning, climactic, closing, ending, finishing, unanswerable, irrefutable.

    Antonyms first*, foremost*, beginning. *

  2. Most recent

    latest, newest, current, freshest, immediate, most fashionable, in the fashion, modish, the last word*; see also fashionable, modern 1.

    Antonyms old*, stale*, outmoded.


last

n.

  1. The end

    tail end, last one, terminal one, final one, ending; see also end 4.

  2. A shoemaker's mold

    form, cast, shape; see mold 1, 2.

at (long) last

after a long time, in the end, ultimately; see finally 2.

see the last of

see for the last time, never see again, dispose of, get rid of; see end 1.


last

v.

  1. To endure

    continue, remain, persist, go on; see continue 1, endure 1, 2.

  2. To be sufficient

    hold out, be adequate, be enough, be ample, be satisfactory, serve, do, accomplish the purpose, answer; see also satisfy 3. See syn. study at continue.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

last Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • hour: Workshops are for 30 participants aged eight and up and last about an hour and a half.

Object

  • minute: The needles were warmed with the Chinese herb, Moxa, and each treatment lasted about 30 minutes.

Modifies a noun

  • year: Last year we raised over £ 2,500 for the Tsunami appeal.

Used with adjective complement

  • do: Evidently, the system was not a success, for it did not last beyond 1966.

Adjective complement

  • less: When the Department of Employment compiles strike figures it excludes action which lasts less than 24 hours and involve less than ten workers.

Preposition: for

  • hour: Plus Points - Proven to last for 12 hours.
last usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

last quotes

  Ne supra crepidam sutor iudicaret. Let the cobbler stick to his last.

-Apelles   4c

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

-Bible (NewTestament)

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

-Bible (NewTestament)

last quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"last." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/last>

APA Style

last. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/last

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