ETYM Old Eng. lesse, as. laessa; akin to OFries. lęssa; a compar. from a lost positive form. Related to Lesser, Lest, Least. Less has the sense of the comparative degree of little.
(Comparative of 'little' usually used with mass nouns) Quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree.
1. (Nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases; 'we had less apples' is not acceptable) Fewer.
2. (Usually preceded by 'no') Lower in quality.
3. (Usually preceded by 'no') Lower in esteem; SYN. lower.

ETYM as. laes. Related to Less, Lest.
1. Comparative of little.
2. Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs; SYN. to a lesser extent.

Smaller in amount or degree:

Diminished by; minus