Lesser

English translation: One rule of thumb that may be helpful is that 'lesser' applies especially to ...

14:00 Jan 4, 2003

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Linguistics / Grammar

English term or phrase: Lesser

Please, I want to know if there is a word 'lesser' in English. And How can I use it. I mean if you can put it in sentences, /i will be thankfull.

Rana*

Selected answer:One rule of thumb that may be helpful is that 'lesser' applies especially to ...

Explanation:
matters of quality, worth or significance, and is opposed to 'greater' or 'major':
"God made the lesser light to rule the night."
"the Lesser Dog": Csnis Minor

On the other hand, 'less' applies to matters of degree, value or amount, and is opposed to 'more'.

Birds were mentioned, but lesser is also used to apply to flowers (lesser celandine) and insects (lesser corn borer).

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Note added at 2003-01-04 14:36:47 (GMT)
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And geographical names, e.g., the Lesser Antilles.

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Note added at 2003-01-04 18:56:15 (GMT) Post-grading
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Canis Minor, sorry.

Selected response from:

Refugio
Local time: 02:49

Grading comment

Now I get it. Thank you very much Ruth.It is very helpful. And thanks to everyone.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +5

yes, there is a "lesser"

swisstell

5 +3

One rule of thumb that may be helpful is that 'lesser' applies especially to ...

Refugio

5 +2

used primarily in formally established expressions

Hermeneutica

4 +1

the less prominent / the less important / the smaller / the younger

Elisabeth Ghysels

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +5

yes, there is a "lesser"

Explanation:
e.g. the lesser of two evils

swisstell
Italy
Local time: 11:49
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 7

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

agree

Peter Coles: It's not used a lot, and I suspect that statistically usage is dominanted by the specific example, "the lesser of two evils", that you've given.

9 mins

-> tks. (dominanted?)

agree

Sarah Ponting: "A comparative of little: 1. Smaller in amount, value, or importance, especially in a comparison between two things: chose the lesser evil. 2. Of a smaller size than other, similar forms: the lesser anteater. TheAmerican Heritage Dic. of the English Lang.

14 mins

agree

writeaway: lesser extent,lesser mortals,lesser sum of money,lesser offence,lesser known,of lesser intelligence, etc.

27 mins

agree

Marie Scarano

28 mins

agree

yeswhere: with Sarah: little, lesser, least. Wish I were in the Lesser Antilles right now!

42 mins

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

the less prominent / the less important / the smaller / the younger

Explanation:
and similar.

For instance: the lesser birds of paradise.

Greetings,

Nikolaus

Reference: http://www.lesserbirds.com/
Reference: http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj10.htm

Elisabeth Ghysels
Local time: 11:49

16 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

used primarily in formally established expressions

Explanation:
The other two examples given are good ones ... one is a saying, the other one refers to bird names, there is also, for example, the lesser crested tern, or lesser crested grebe. There is something called a Lesser Public License, for openware software.

You could go to www.google.com and look for the search feature, or go directly to
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?safe=images&as_occt=an...

and enter "lesser" and then see what kinds of things you get ... all the ones mentioned here, plus items where "Lesser" is a surname, etc. That will certainly tell you a lot about usage.

Generally, though, it is not frequently used in everyday language; since you won't need to use it very often, the chances that you will use it incorrectly are also very small. [Personally I don't remember when I last used it except in "the lesser of two evils" or in a bird name].

Best of luck

Dee

Hermeneutica
Switzerland
Local time: 11:49
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Spanish,

English

33 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

One rule of thumb that may be helpful is that 'lesser' applies especially to ...

Refugio
Local time: 02:49
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 35

Grading comment

Now I get it. Thank you very much Ruth.It is very helpful. And thanks to everyone.

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