‖n. [ It. ] (Mus.) See Direct, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ AS. m&aemacr_;st. See Most, a. ] In the greatest or highest degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The most unkindest cut of all. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The most straitest sect of our religion. Acts xxvi. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

a., superl. of More. [ OE. most, mast, mest, AS. m&aemacr_;st; akin to D. meest, OS. mēst, G. meist, Icel. mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. √103. See More, a. ] 1. Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.” Prov. xx. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done. Matt. xi. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. “In the moste pride.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Highest in rank; greatest. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

A quarter of a year or some months at the most. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

A covetous man makes the most of what he has. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Mustaiba. [ 1913 Webster ]

obs. imp. of Mote. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Diplomacy), A clause, often inserted in treaties, by which each of the contracting nations binds itself to grant to the other in certain stipulated matters the same terms as are then, or may be thereafter, granted to the nation which receives from it the most favorable terms in respect of those matters. It is used most frequently in treaties regarding the terms of trade between countries, as regarding tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

There was a “most-favored-nation” clause with provisions for the good treatment of strangers entering the Republic. James Bryce. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Steam navigation was secured by the Japanese as far as Chungking, and under the most-favored-nation clause the right accrued to us. A. R. Colquhoun. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ } n. [ See Maul-stick. ] A painter's maul-stick. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. For the greatest part; for the most part; chiefly; in the main. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. For the most part. [ Obs. ] “All the rest do mostwhat far amiss.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]