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

Definitions

  1. At least; Minimally

Ancestry of “leastwise”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishleastThe most little; the smallest amount or quantity...
2Middle Englishlestelast; final
3Old Englishlǣst—
4Proto-Germaniclaisistazsmallest; least
Every word from Proto-Germanic laisistaz →