leastways

[ leest-weyz ]

adverb

, Dialect.

1. at least; at any rate; leastwise.

leastways

/ ˈliːstˌweɪz /

adverb

1. informal.
   at least; anyway; at any rate

Word History and Origins

Origin of leastways¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, leastways is from Middle English leest weye. See least, -ways

Example Sentences

We don’t even refer to her—leastways not in front of my mother.

From Literature

‘I saw him, Mr. Butterbur,’ said a hobbit; ‘or leastways I didn’t see him, if you take my meaning. He just vanished into thin air, in a manner of speaking.’

From Literature

Now here's someone Liza could never forget, leastways not while she still remembered anything at all.

From Nature

"I think so," he said, "leastways some has come off on my knuckles!"

From Project Gutenberg

Said 'is name was Watson and Bean—leastways 'e was Bean.

From Project Gutenberg