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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

Origin: 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 (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

Origin: 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:

last (last, läst)

noun

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

Origin: 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 (last, läst)

noun

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

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

last 1 (lăst)

adjective
  1. Being, coming, or placed after all others; final: the last game of the season.
  2. Being the only one left: his last nickel; as a last resort.
  3. Just past; most recent: last year; the last time I checked.
  4. Most up-to-date; newest: the last thing in swimwear.
  5. Highest in extent or degree; utmost: to the last measure of human endurance.
  6. Most valid, authoritative, or conclusive: The arbiter will have the last say in resolving this dispute.
  7. a. Least likely or expected: the last person we would have suspected.
    b. The least desirable or suitable: the last man for the job.
  8. Being the latest possible: waited until the last second before boarding the train.
  9. Lowest in rank or importance: last prize; last place.
  10. Used as an intensive: Every last dollar was donated to charity.
  11. a. Of or relating to a terminal period or stage, as of life: the last days of the dinosaurs.
    b. Administered just before death: the last sacraments.
adverb
  1. After all others in chronology or sequence: arrived last.
  2. Most recently: a fashion last popular in the 1940s.
  3. At the end; finally: Add the butter last.
noun
  1. One that is at the end or last: the last to be chosen; on every page but the last.
  2. The end: held out until the last.
  3. The final mention or appearance: haven't seen the last of our troubles.

Origin: Middle English, from Old English latost, superlative of lǽt, late; see lē- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

last 2 (lăst)

verb last·ed, lasting last·ing, lasts
verb, intransitive
  1. a. To continue in time; go on: The war lasted four years.
    b. To continue; survive: The patient is not expected to last much longer.
  2. a. To remain in good or usable condition: Produce lasts longer if it is refrigerated. I wanted a car that would last.
    b. To continue in force or practice: wondered if the marriage would last.
  3. To remain in adequate supply: Will our water last?
verb, transitive
  1. To keep adequately supplied: left enough bread to last the family for the weekend.
  2. To persist or endure for the entire length of; survive: hoped to last the season without injuring her leg again.

Origin: Middle English lasten, from Old English lǣstan; see leis-1 in Indo-European roots.

last 3 (lăst)

noun
A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in making or repairing shoes.
transitive verb last·ed, lasting last·ing, lasts
To mold or shape on a last.

Origin: Middle English leste, laste, from Old English lǣste, from lǣst, lāst, sole of the foot; see leis-1 in Indo-European roots.

last 4 (lăst)

noun
Chiefly British
A unit of volume or weight varying for different commodities and in different districts, equal to about 80 bushels, 640 gallons, or 2 tons.

Origin: Middle English, load, a kind of measure, from Old English hlǽst, load.

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