Most is used as a noun, the words part, portion, quantity, etc., being
omitted, and has the following meanings: 1. The greatest value, number,
or part; preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The utmost;
greatest possible amount, degree, or result; especially in the phrases
to make the most of, at the most, at most.
A quarter of a year or some months at the most.
Bacon.
A covetous man makes the most of what he has.
L'Estrange.
For the most part, in reference to the larger part of a thing, or to
the majority of the persons, instances, or things referred to; as,
human beings, for the most part, are superstitious; the view, for the
most part, was pleasing. -- Most an end, generally. See An end, under
End, n. [Obs.] "She sleeps most an end." Massinger.
Most, adv. [AS. mst. See Most, a.] In the greatest or highest degree.
Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers
and prelates.
Milton.
Placed before an adjective or adverb, most is used to form the
superlative degree, being equivalent to the termination -est; as, most
vile, most wicked; most illustrious; most rapidly. Formerly, and until
after the Elizabethan period of our literature, the use of the double
superlative was common. See More, adv.
The most unkindest cut of all.
Shak.
The most straitest sect of our religion.
Acts xxvi. 5.
Mos`ta*hi"ba (?), n. See Mustaiba.
Mos"te (?), obs. imp. of Mote. Chaucer.
{ Mos"tic, Mos"tick } (?), n. [See Maul-stick.] A painter's maul-stick.
Most"ly (?), adv. For the greatest part; for the most part; chiefly; in
the main.
||Mos"tra (?), n. [It.] (Mus.) See Direct, n.
Most"what` (?), adv. For the most part. [Obs.] "All the rest do
mostwhat far amiss." Spenser.
Mot (mt), v. [Sing. pres. ind. Mot, Mote, Moot (mt), pl. Mot, Mote,
Moote, pres. subj. Mote; imp. Moste.] [See Must, v.] [Obs.] May; must;
might.