lesser
より少ない
解説 Definition
lesser は less（より少ない、より小さい）に関係する比較級の形容詞で、より少ない、より重要でないという意味です。量や程度だけでなく、重要性が低いものを比べるときにも使います。
Lesser describes something that is smaller in amount, degree, importance, rank, or seriousness when compared with another thing. It commonly appears before a noun or in fixed expressions such as “the lesser of two evils.”
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
lesser は less に比較を示す -er が結び付いた古い比較級に由来し、発音は less /les/、lesser /ˈlesər/ です。現代では単なる数量よりも「重要性・程度・地位が低い」という限定用法が中心。the lesser risk、of lesser importance、the lesser of two evils のまとまりで覚えましょう。
Link lesser with less and the comparative ending -er. Historically, it is an old comparative form related to less; its pronunciation expands from /les/ to /ˈlesər/. In modern English, lesser is especially common before nouns when comparing importance, degree, rank, risk, or value. Think of the lesser risk, a lesser offense, or a matter of lesser importance. For ordinary quantities, English usually prefers less, as in “less water,” rather than lesser. The fixed expression “the lesser of two evils” means the less harmful of two undesirable choices.
例文
We chose the lesser cost.
私たちはより少ない費用のほうを選びました。
This plan has a lesser risk.
この計画はリスクがより少ないです。
The second problem was of lesser importance.
2つ目の問題は重要性がより低いものでした。
lesser の類義語・関連語
lesser の語源・成り立ち Etymology
lesser は古英語 lǣsra にさかのぼる、less の古い比較級です。語幹は「小さい」を表す little 系のゲルマン語根で、-er も比較を示します。little や least と並べると、「より小さい・より少ない」という感覚が見えます。
Lesser descends from Old English lǣsra, an older comparative form associated with less. It belongs historically to the Germanic group of forms represented in modern English by little, less, and least. Although speakers can recognize the comparative ending -er, lesser is inherited as a whole rather than being merely a freely created modern comparison. Its present use often concerns lower importance, rank, degree, or seriousness.
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