early 13c., a double comparative, from less + -er (2). Johnson calls it "a barbarous corruption of less, formed by the vulgar from the habit of terminating comparatives in -er." As an adverb from 1590s; now generally poetic or obsolete except in expression lesser-known (1813).
双语例句
1. People voted for him as the lesser of two evils.
人们投票支持他只不过是两害相权取其轻罢了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. They pleaded guilty to lesser charges of criminal damage.
他们承认了刑事毁坏的较轻罪名。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The two discs also contain two of Britten's lesser-known song-cycles.
这两张唱片还包含了布里顿两首不甚知名的声乐套曲。
来自柯林斯例句
4. people of lesser importance
次要人物
来自《权威词典》
5. The more obvious potential allies are Ireland, Denmark and, to a lesser degree, the Netherlands.