lesser (redirected from the lesser evil)

less·er  (lsr)

adj. 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.

adv. A comparative of little.

Less. Used before a participle: a lesser-known writer.

n.

One that is lower in importance, rank, magnitude, or degree: the lesser of two evils.

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[Middle English, from lesse, less; see less.]

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lesser [ˈlɛsə]

adj

not as great in quantity, size, or worth

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	lesser - of less size or importance; "the lesser anteater"; "the lesser of two evils" greater - greater in size or importance or degree; "for the greater good of the community"; "the greater Antilles"
	2.	lesser - smaller in size or amount or value; "the lesser powers of Europe"; "the lesser anteater" little, small - limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent; "a little dining room"; "a little house"; "a small car"; "a little (or small) group"

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lesser

adjective lower, slighter, secondary, subsidiary, subordinate, inferior, less important He was feared by other, lesser, men.
higher, greater, major, primary, superior

Translations

lesser [ˈlesəʳ] ADJ COMPAR of less → menor
to a lesser extent or degree → en menor grado
he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge → se declaró culpable del cargo menor
the lesser of two evils → el menor de dos males

lesser [ˈlɛsə^r]

adj comparative → moindre
to a lesser extent, to a lesser degree → à un degré moindre

pron
the lesser of two evils → le moindre des deux maux
lesser-known [ˌlɛsə^rˈnəʊn] adj comparative → moins connu(e)

lesser

adj → geringer; (in names) → klein; to a lesser extent → in geringerem Maße; a lesser amount → ein kleinerer Betrag; the lesser weight → das leichtere Gewicht; lesser offence (Brit) or offense (US) (Jur) → Vergehen nt, → Übertretung f; which is the lesser crime? → welches Verbrechen ist weniger schlimm?; he is a lesser man than his brother (= less good) → er ist kein so guter Mensch wie sein Bruder; (= less great) → er ist weniger bedeutend als sein Bruder

lesser [ˈlɛsəʳ] adj (importance, degree) → minore; (size) → più piccolo/a
to a lesser extent or degree → in grado or misura minore
the lesser of two evils → il minore dei due mali