last

n. [ AS. lāst trace, track, footstep; akin to D. leest a last, G. leisten, Sw. läst, Dan. læst, Icel. leistr the foot below the ankle, Goth. laists track, way; from a root signifying, to go. Cf. Last, v. i., Learn, Delirium. ] A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots and shoes are formed. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cobbler is not to go beyond his last. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

Darning last, a smooth, hard body, often egg-shaped, put into a stocking to preserve its shape in darning. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ As. hlæst, fr. hladan to lade; akin to OHG. hlast, G., D., Dan., & Sw. last: cf. F. laste, last, a last, of German or Dutch origin. See Lade. ] 1. A load; a heavy burden; hence, a certain weight or measure, generally estimated at 4, 000 lbs., but varying for different articles and in different countries. In England, a last of codfish, white herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn, ten quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England, twenty-one quarters; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing 100 lbs; of red herrings, twenty cades, or 20, 000; of hides, twelve dozen; of leather, twenty dickers; of pitch and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool, twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1, 700 lbs. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The burden of a ship; a cargo. [ 1913 Webster ]

3d pers. sing. pres. of Last, to endure, contracted from lasteth. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See Late, and cf. Latest. ] 1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or order of succession; following all the rest; final; hindmost; farthest; as, the last year of a century; the last man in a line of soldiers; the last page in a book; his last chance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. Neh. viii. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Next before the present; as, I saw him last week. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Supreme; highest in degree; utmost. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contending for principles of the last importance. R. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Lowest in rank or degree; as, the a last place finish. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or condition; most unlikely; having least fitness; as, he is the last person to be accused of theft. [ 1913 Webster ]

At last, at the end of a certain period; after delay. “The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived.” Motley. --
At the last. [ Prob. fr. AS. on lāste behind, following behind, fr. lāst race, track, footstep. See Last mold of the foot. ] At the end; in the conclusion. [ Obs. ] “Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last.” Gen. xlix. 19. --
Last heir, the person to whom lands escheat for lack of an heir. [ Eng. ] Abbott. --
On one's last legs, at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [ Colloq. ] --
To breathe one's last, to die. --
To the last, to the end; till the conclusion. [ 1913 Webster ]

And blunder on in business to the last. Pope.

Syn. -- At Last, At Length. These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ See Last, a. ] 1. At a time or on an occasion which is the latest of all those spoken of or which have occurred; the last time; as, I saw him last in New York. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In conclusion; finally; lastly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires,
Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. At a time next preceding the present time. [ 1913 Webster ]

How long is't now since last yourself and I
Were in a mask ? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. [ E. lestage ballasting, fr. lest ballast, or LL. lastagium, lestagium. See Last a load. ] 1. A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A tax on wares sold by the last. [ Obs. ] Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The lading of a ship; also, ballast. Spelman. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Room for stowing goods, as in a ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

obs. imp. of Last, to endure. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]