simplest

Variant of simple

adjective simpler, simplest

  1. having or consisting of only one part, feature, substance, etc.; not compounded or complex; single
  2. having few parts or features; not complicated or involved: a simple pattern
  3. easy to do, solve, or understand, as a task, question, etc.
  4. without additions or qualifications; mere; bare: the simple facts
    1. not ornate; unembellished; unadorned: simple clothes
    2. not luxurious or elegant; plain: simple tastes
  5. pure; unadulterated
  6. without guile or deceit; innocent; artless
    1. without ostentation or affectation; natural
    2. lacking sophistication; naive
  7. of low rank or position; specif.,
    1. humble; lowly
    2. common; ordinary
  8. lacking significance; unimportant
    1. having or showing little sense or reasoning ability; easily misled or deceived; stupid or foolish
    2. uneducated or ignorant
  9. Bot.
    1. consisting of one piece; whole
    2. not branched
    3. developing from a single pistil or carpel: a simple fruit
  10. Chem.
    1. elementary
    2. unmixed
  11. Law unconditional; absolute: in fee simple
  12. Zool. not divided into or made up of parts; not compounded: a simple eye

Origin: OFr < L simplus < IE *sṃplos < bases *sem-, one + *-plo-, -fold: see double

noun

  1. a person who is ignorant or easily misled
  2. something having only one part, substance, etc.
  3. Archaic
    1. a medicinal herb
    2. a medicine made from such a plant
  4. Archaic a person of humble position

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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