ADJECTIVES More, most, used for greater, greatest
More (mo-re) and most (mo-st) (comp. E. E. ma or mo; mar or mor; maest, mast, or most) are frequently used as the comparative and superlative of the adjective "great." [Moe, or mo, as a comparative (Rich. II. ii. 1. 239; Rich. III. iv. 4. 199), is contracted from more or mo-er. Compare "bet" for "bett-er," "leng" for "leng-er," and "streng" for "streng-er," in O. E. See also "sith," 62.]“At our more leisure.
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“A more requital.
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“With most gladness.
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“Our most quiet (our very great quiet).
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Hence we understand:“So grace and mercy at your most need help you.
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i.e. not "in the majority of extremities," as it would mean with us, but "in the greatest extremes." Hence:“Not fearing death nor shrinking for distress,
But always resolute in most extremes.
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“More (instead of greater) and less came in with cap and knee.
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“And more and less do flock to follow him.
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That "less" refers here to rank, and not to number, is illustrated by“Both more and less have given him the revolt.
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So Chaucer: “The grete giftes to the most and leste.” C. T. 2227.“What great ones do the less will prattle of.
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