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.

Part \Part\, n. [F. part, L. pars, gen. partis; cf. parere to
   bring forth, produce. Cf. {Parent}, {Depart}, {Parcel},
   {Partner}, {Party}, {Portion}.]
   1. One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything
      is divided, or regarded as divided; something less than a
      whole; a number, quantity, mass, or the like, regarded as
      going to make up, with others, a larger number, quantity,
      mass, etc., whether actually separate or not; a piece; a
      fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent.

            And kept back part of the price, . . . and brought a
            certain part and laid it at the apostles'feet.
                                                  --Acts v. 2.

            Our ideas of extension and number -- do they not
            contain a secret relation of the parts ? --Locke.

            I am a part of all that I have met.   --Tennyson.

   2. Hence, specifically:
      (a) An equal constituent portion; one of several or many
          like quantities, numbers, etc., into which anything is
          divided, or of which it is composed; proportional
          division or ingredient.

                An homer is the tenth part of an ephah. --Ex.
                                                  xvi. 36.

                A thought which, quartered, hath but one part
                wisdom, And ever three parts coward. --Shak.
      (b) A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole;
          a member; an organ; an essential element.

                All the parts were formed . . . into one
                harmonious body.                  --Locke.

                The pulse, the glow of every part. --Keble.
      (c) A constituent of character or capacity; quality;
          faculty; talent; -- usually in the plural with a
          collective sense. ``Men of considerable parts.''
          --Burke. ``Great quickness of parts.'' --Macaulay.

                Which maintained so politic a state of evil,
                that they will not admit any good part to
                intermingle with them.            --Shak.
      (d) Quarter; region; district; -- usually in the plural.
          ``The uttermost part of the heaven.'' --Neh. i. 9.

                All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and
                fears.                            --Dryden.
      (e) (Math.) Such portion of any quantity, as when taken a
          certain number of times, will exactly make that
          quantity; as, 3 is a part of 12; -- the opposite of
          multiple. Also, a line or other element of a
          geometrical figure.

   3. That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or
      which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share;
      portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office.

            We have no part in David.             --2 Sam. xx.
                                                  1.

            Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part; Do thou
            but thine.                            --Milton.

            Let me bear My part of danger with an equal share.
                                                  --Dryden.

   4. Hence, specifically:
      (a) One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or
          a controversy; a faction.

                For he that is not against us is on our part.
                                                  --Mark ix. 40.

                Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part.
                                                  --Waller.
      (b) A particular character in a drama or a play; an
          assumed personification; also, the language, actions,
          and influence of a character or an actor in a play;
          or, figuratively, in real life. See {To act a part},
          under {Act}.

                That part Was aptly fitted and naturally
                performed.                        --Shak.

                It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
                calf.                             --Shak.

                Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well
                your part, there all the honor lies. --Pope.
      (c) (Mus.) One of the different melodies of a concerted
          composition, which heard in union compose its harmony;
          also, the music for each voice or instrument; as, the
          treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part, etc.

   {For my part}, so far as concerns me; for my share.

   {For the most part}. See under {Most}, a.

   {In good part}, as well done; favorably; acceptably; in a
      friendly manner. --Hooker.

   {In ill part}, unfavorably; with displeasure.

   {In part}, in some degree; partly.

   {Part and parcel}, an essential or constituent portion; -- a
      reduplicative phrase. Cf. {might and main}, {kith and
      kin}, etc. ``She was . . . part and parcel of the race and
      place.'' --Howitt.

   {Part of speech} (Gram.), a sort or class of words of a
      particular character; thus, the noun is a part of speech
      denoting the name of a thing; the verb is a part of speech
      which asserts something of the subject of a sentence.

   {Part owner} (Law), one of several owners or tenants in
      common. See {Joint tenant}, under {Joint}.

   {Part singing}, singing in which two or more of the harmonic
      parts are taken.

   {Part song}, a song in two or more (commonly four) distinct
      vocal parts. ``A part song differs from a madrigal in its
      exclusion of contrapuntual devices; from a glee, in its
      being sung by many voices, instead of by one only, to each
      part.'' --Stainer & Barrett.

   Syn: Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; piece;
        share; constituent. See {Portion}, and {Section}.

Source : WordNet®

for the most part
     adv : in large part; mainly or chiefly; "These accounts are
           largely inactive" [syn: {largely}, {mostly}]