Quick Definition
ἐλάχιστος, ίστη, ιστον Adj least, smallest, very little
Strong's Definition
superlative of elachus (short); used as equivalent to 3398; least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.)
KJV Usage: least, very little (small), smallest
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
adjc. | -η, -ον | ἐλαττόω
79.125 · Features of Objects · Large, Small
small, little a small size, relative to the norm for the class of objects in question Note that in the case of a Greek superlative such as ἐλάχιστος, the meaning is not ‘the smallest’ but simply ‘very small.’ This is typical of many uses of the superlative in Greek.
65.57 · Value · Important, Unimportant
of least importance, of very little importance pertaining to being of the least importance
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐλάχιστος, -η, -ov, (superl. of the adj. μικρός, but coming fr. ἐλαχύς), [(Hom. h. Mere. 578), Hdt. down], smallest, least, — whether in size: Jas. iii. 4; in amount: of the management of affairs, πιστὸς ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ, Lk. xvi. 10 (opp. to ἐν πολλῷ); xix. 17; ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ ἄδικος, Lk. xvi. 10; in importance: what is of the least moment, 1 Co. vi. 2; in authority: of commandments, Mt. νυ. 19; in the estimation of men: of persons, Mt. xxv. 40, 45: in rank and excellence: of persons, Mt. v.19; 1 Co. xv. 9; of a town, Mt. ii. 6. οὐδὲ [RG οὔτε] ἐλάχιστον, not even a very small thing, Lk. xii. 26; ἐμοὶ εἰς ἐλάχιστόν ἐστι (see εἰμί, V. 2 ¢.), 1 Co. iv. 8.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐλάχιστος elachistos 14x
used as the superlative of μικρός, smallest, least, Mt. 2:6; 5:19
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἐλάχιστος, -η, -ον
(v.s. ἐλάσσων),
smallest, least: as proper superlat., I Co 15:9; elsewhere, as usually in late Gk., intensive (B1., § 11, 3); Mt 2:6 (LXX) 25:40, 45, Lk 12:26 16:10 19:17, I Co 4:3 6:2, Ja 3:4; ἐ. ἐν τ. βασιλείᾳ τ. οὐρανῶν, Mt 5:19 (v. Dalman, Words, 113). Compar., ἐλαχιστότερος (for corresp. superl., v. LS; v. also Bl., § 44, 3); less than the least: Eph 3:8.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐλάχιστος. For this form as a true superlative, as in 1 Cor 159 (cf. Proleg. p. 79), we may cite P Tebt I. 2457 (B.c. 117) ἐπὶ τὸ the document is official, though written in very bad Greek. It survives even as late as viii/A.D. in P Lond 7782 (=I. p. 233) ἀπὸ μικροῦ εἴδους ἕως ἐλαχίστου. The phrase ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ, as in Lk 161°, cf. Josh 678, occurs in P Catt’: 28 (ii/A.p.) (= Chrest. 11. p. 422), and the plur. in P Hib I. 27% (B.c. 301-240) ὡς οὖν ἠδυνάμην ἀκριβέστατα ἐν ἐλαχίστοις συναγαγεῖν. With reference to persons, as Mt 55, see Sy// 41τ858 (A.D. 238) καὶ γὰρ ὡς ἀληθῶς ἀπὸ πολλῶν οἱκοδεσποτῶν εἰς ἐλαχίστους κατεληλύθαμεν. ἐλάχιστον, ““αἱ least
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἐλάχιστος (elachistos) — least. ἐλᾰχιστ-ος [ᾰ], η, ον, superlative of ἐλαχύς: comparative ἐλάσσων (which see):— smallest, least, frequently with a negative, γέρας, δύναμις οὐκ ἐ., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; λόγου ἐλαχίστου of least account, [Refs]; ἐλαχίστου ἐδέησε διαφθεῖραι narrowly missed destroying them, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. of Time, shortest, δι᾽ ἐλαχίστου (i.e. χρόνου) [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δι᾽ ἐλαχίστης βουλῆς with shortest deliberation, [Refs]
3. of Number, fewest, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐν ἐλαχίστοις δυσίν between two at least. [Refs]
4. in Mathematics texts, ἐλάχιστα καὶ μέγιστα minima and maxima, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
II. τὸ ἐλάχιστον, τοὐλάχιστον, at the least, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐλάχιστα least of any one, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὡς ἐ. as little as possible, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III. from ἐλάχιστος came a new comparative ἐλαχιστότερος less than the least, ἐ. πάντων ἁγίων [NT] very least of all, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]