(comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree; of less importance; less time to spend with the family; a shower uses less water; less than three years old'

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs; less interesting; less expensive; less quickly

[ Syn: to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent , to a lesser extent ]

comparative of little; she walks less than she should; he works less these days'

(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality; no less than perfect'

(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer; less than three weeks; no less than 50 people attended; in 25 words or less'