Part 655

God made . . . the lesser light to rule the night.

Gen. i. 15.

Lesser is used for less, now the compar. of little, in certain special instances in which its employment has become established by custom; as, Lesser Asia (i. e., Asia Minor), the lesser light, and some others; also in poetry, for the sake of the meter, and in prose where its use renders the passage more euphonious.

The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace.

Shak.

The larger here, and there the lesser lambs.

Pope.

By the same reason may a man, in the state of nature, punish the lesser breaches of the law.

Locke.

Less"er, adv. Less. [Obs.] Shak.

Les"ses (ls"sz), n. pl. [F. laissées, from laisser to leave. See Lease, v. t.] The leavings or dung of beasts.

Les"son (ls"s'n), n. [OE. lessoun, F. leçon lesson, reading, fr. L. lectio a reading, fr. legere to read, collect. See Legend, and cf. Lection.] 1. Anything read or recited to a teacher by a pupil or learner; something, as a portion of a book, assigned to a pupil to be studied or learned at one time.

2. That which is learned or taught by an express effort; instruction derived from precept, experience, observation, or deduction; a precept; a doctrine; as, to take or give a lesson in drawing." A smooth and pleasing lesson." Milton.

Emprinteth well this lesson in your mind.

Chaucer.

3. A portion of Scripture read in divine service for instruction; as, here endeth the first lesson.

4. A severe lecture; reproof; rebuke; warning.

She would give her a lesson for walking so late.

Sir. P. Sidney.

5. (Mus.) An exercise; a composition serving an educational purpose; a study.

Les"son, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessoned (-s'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lessoning.] To teach; to instruct. Shak.

To rest the weary, and to soothe the sad, Doth lesson happier men, and shame at least the bad.

Byron.

Les"sor (ls"sr or ls*sôr"), n. [See Lessee, Lease, v. t.] (Law) One who leases; the person who lets to farm, or gives a lease. Blackstone.

Lest (lst), v. i. To listen. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

Lest, n. [See List to choose.] Lust; desire; pleasure. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Lest, a. Last; least. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Lest, conj. [OE. leste, fr. AS. ð ls ð the less that, where ð is the instrumental case of the definite article, and ð is an indeclinable relative particle, that, who, which. See The, Less, a.] 1. For fear that; that . . . not; in order that . . . not.