Where does “leastwise” come from?
leastwise (English) comes from English least, from Middle English leste, from Old English lǣst, from Proto-Germanic laisistaz — smallest; least.
leastwise (English): At least; Minimally
Ancestry of “leastwise”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | least | The most little; the smallest amount or quantity... |
| 2 | Middle English | leste | last; final |
| 3 | Old English | lǣst | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | laisistaz | smallest; least |