lesser
UK: ˈlɛsə | US: ˈlɛsər
adj. smaller in size, amount, or importance compared to something else
adj. of lower rank or secondary status
The word "lesser" originates from Old English "lǣssa," the comparative form of "lǣssa" (less). The root "less" derives from Proto-Germanic *laisiz, meaning "smaller" or "fewer," and is related to Old Norse "minni" (smaller) and Gothic "minniza." The suffix "-er" is a standard English comparative marker, added to adjectives to indicate a higher degree of the quality described. Over time, "lesser" evolved to specifically denote something of reduced size, importance, or rank compared to another.
The lesser-known artist gained fame after his work was featured in a major exhibition.
She chose the lesser of two evils to minimize the damage.
The lesser panda is often overshadowed by its more famous relative, the giant panda.
He was given a lesser role in the play due to his limited experience.
The lesser amount of rainfall this year has affected crop yields.