"few" Definition

Definitions for the word "few" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. superl.
Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; -- indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituing a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. adj.
Not many (few doctors smoke). n. (as pl.) 1 (prec. By a) some but not many (a few of his friends were there). 2 not many (few are chosen). 3 (prec. By the) a the minority. B the elect. a good few colloq. Fairly large number. No fewer than as many as (a specified number). Not a few a considerable number. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
3. slang
used to signify the reverse, thus:—“Don’t you call this considerably jolly?” “I believe you, my bo-o-oy, A FEW.” Sometimes the reply is, “just a FEW.” Another expression of the same kind is RATHER, which _see_.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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