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[ adjective ] having or being distinguished by diminutive size
Examples "the least bittern" Used in print (Clifford H. Pope, The Giant Snakes....)Laurence_M_._Klauber put length at maturity at two thirds the ultimate length for some rattlesnakes , and Charles_C_._Carpenter 's data on Michigan garter and ribbon_snakes ( Thamnophis ) show that the smallest gravid females are more_than half as long as the biggest adults . There seems to be a rough correlation between the initial and ultimate lengths , starting with the smallest ( boa_constrictor ) and ending with the largest ( anaconda ) . For four of the six ( the anaconda and the amethystine_python cannot be included for lack of data ) there is also a correlation between size at maturity and maximum length , the boa_constrictor being the smallest and the Indian_python the next in size at the former stage . (Edwin L. Bigelow and Nancy H. Otis,...)Early equipment was very flimsy ; the smallest gusts of wind toppled poles , making communications impossible . (E. Lucas Myers, "The Vindication of Dr. Nestor,"...)The doctor opened the smallest of his cases , an unimposing straw bag , and exposed the contents for Alex 's inspection . Related terms |
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[ adjective ] minimal in magnitude
Examples "lowest wages" "the least amount of fat allowed" "the smallest amount" Used in print (J. F. Vedder, "Micrometeorites", in Francis S. J...)With detectors sensitive to three mass intervals and based on a_few counts , the second and third Russian space_probes indicate that the flux of the smallest particles detected is less_than that of larger ones . The radius is calculated from the mass by assuming spheres of density * * f except for the smallest particles , which must have a higher mass density to remain in the solar_system in the presence of solar_radiation pressure . (Clifford H. Pope, The Giant Snakes....)Another approach is to estimate from the rate_of_growth and the smallest size at maturity . Related terms |
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