lesser
UK[ˈlɛsə]US[ˈlɛsər]
adj
Not as great in size, amount, or importance as something else
adj
Used in the names of some animal and plant species to indicate a smaller or less common type
Morpheme Breakdown
less
er
less
small
er
comparative suffix
Etymology
The word 'lesser' is a double comparative, built upon the Old English comparative form 'lǣssa'. The Proto-Germanic root 'laisiz-', meaning 'smaller', evolved into the Old English 'lǣssa', which already carried a comparative sense. The addition of the standard comparative suffix '-er' in Middle English reinforced this meaning, creating a pleonastic form. This reinforced comparative came to specialize in distinguishing between two things that are both small or minor, implying a relative difference in degree or importance rather than a direct comparison to a positive form. Thus, 'lesser' often functions as a comparative adjective that does not directly modify a noun but is used in fixed phrases or to denote a subordinate category.
Analysis
Structure: less (small) + er (comparative suffix)
- less: From Old English 'lǣssa', meaning 'smaller, fewer'. It functions as the comparative form of the root 'little'.
- er: A suffix of Germanic origin used to form the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs.
Examples
He was convicted of a lesser charge.
The lesser-known beaches are often the most beautiful.
The lesser spotted woodpecker is a rare visitor to this region.