most

[mohst] /moʊst/
adjective, superl. of much or many with more as compar.
1.
in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number:
to win the most votes.
2.
in the majority of instances:
Most operations are successful.
3.
greatest, as in size or extent:
the most talent.
noun
4.
the greatest quantity, amount, or degree; the utmost:
The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
5.
the greatest number or the majority of a class specified:
Most of his writing is rubbish.
6.
the greatest number:
The most this room will seat is 150.
7.
the majority of persons:
to be more sensitive than most.
8.
the most, Slang. the ultimate in something:
He's the most. That movie was the most.
adverb, superl. of much with more as compar.
9.
in or to the greatest extent or degree (in this sense often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables, to form superlative phrases having the same force and effect as the superlative degree formed by the termination -est):
most rapid; most wisely.
10.
very:
a most puzzling case.
11.
Informal. almost or nearly.
Idioms
12.
at the most, at the maximum.
Also, at most.
13.
for the most part. part (def 34).
14.
make the most of, to use to greatest advantage; utilize fully:
to make the most of an opportunity.
Origin
before 900; Middle English most(e), Old English māst; replacing Middle English mest(e), Old English mǣst; cognate with German meist, Gothic maists. See more
Can be confused
almost, most.
Synonyms
11. See almost.
Usage note
11. The adverb most, a shortened form of almost, is far from being either a recent development or an Americanism. It goes back to the 16th century in England, where it is now principally a dialect form. In American English it occurs before such pronouns as all, anyone, anybody, everyone, and everybody; the adjectives all, any, and every; and adverbs like anywhere and everywhere: Most everyone around here is related to everyone else. You can find that plant most anywhere. This use of most is often objected to, but it is common in the informal speech of educated persons. It is less common in edited writing except in representations of speech.
British Dictionary definitions for make the most of

most

/məʊst/
determiner
1.
  1. a great majority of; nearly all: most people like eggs
  2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): most of them don't know, most of it is finished
2.
the most
  1. the superlative of many, much you have the most money, the most apples
  2. (as pronoun): the most he can afford is two pounds
3.
at most, at the most, at the maximum: that girl is four at the most
4.
for the most part, generally
5.
make the most of, to use to the best advantage: she makes the most of her accent
6.
than most, than most others: the leaves are greener than most
7.
(slang, mainly US) the most, wonderful: that chick's the most
adverb
8.
the most, used to form the superlative of some adjectives and adverbs: the most beautiful daughter of all
9.
the superlative of much people welcome a drink most after work
10.
(intensifier): a most absurd story
11.
(US & Canadian, informal or dialect) almost: most every town in this state, John is the more intelligent of the two, he is the most intelligent of the students
Usage note
More and most should be distinguished when used in comparisons. More applies to cases involving two persons, objects, etc, most to cases involving three or more
Word Origin
Old English māst or mǣst, whence Middle English moste, mēst; compare Old Frisian maest, Old High German meist, Old Norse mestr
Word Origin and History for make the most of

most

adj.

Old English mast "greatest number, amount, extent," earlier mæst, from Proto-Germanic *maistaz (cf. Old Saxon mest, Old Frisian mast, Old Norse mestr, Dutch meest, German meist, Gothic maists "most"), superlative form of Proto-Germanic *maiz, root of Old English ma, mara (see more). Used in Old English as superlative of micel "great, large" (see mickle). Vowel influenced by more. Original sense of "greatest" survives in phrase for the most part (c.1400). Slang meaning "the best, extremely good" is attested from 1953. Also used as an adverb in Old English. Phrase make the most of (something) is by 1520s. Related: Mostly. Double superlative mostest is 1885, from U.S. Southern and Black English.

Related Abbreviations for make the most of

MOST

magneto-optical storage technology
Idioms and Phrases with make the most of

make the most of

Use to the greatest advantage, as in She planned to make the most of her trip to Europe, or The class quickly made the most of the teacher's absence. This expression was first recorded in 1526.

most

see:
Encyclopedia Article for make the most of

Most

city, northwestern Czech Republic. It lies along the Bilina River, southwest of Utsi nad Labem. It was mentioned in early 11th-century German documents as Brux, which means "bridge," as does its Czech name. This probably refers to an ancient structure spanning marshy ground near the old town.

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