Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Most \Most\, a., superl. of {More}. [OE. most, mast, mest, AS.
   m?st; akin to D. meest, OS. m[=e]st, G. meist, Icel. mestr,
   Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. [root]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.

            The cities wherein most of his mighty works were
            done.                                 --Matt. xi.
                                                  20.

   2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. ``In
      the moste pride.'' --Chaucer.

   3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   Note: 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.

               A quarter of a year or some months at the most.
                                                  --Bacon.

               A covetous man makes the most of what he has.
                                                  --L'Estrange.

   {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.