(3d pers. sing. pres.) of Last, to endure, contracted from
lasteth.
(a.) Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered,
in time, place, or order of succession; following all the rest; final;
hindmost; farthest; as, the last year of a century; the last man in a
line of soldiers; the last page in a book; his last chance.
(a.) Next before the present; as, I saw him last week.
(a.) Supreme; highest in degree; utmost.
(a.) Lowest in rank or degree; as, the last prize.
(a.) Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or
condition; most unlikely; having least fitness; as, he is the last
person to be accused of theft.
(a.) At a time or on an occasion which is the latest of all those
spoken of or which have occurred; the last time; as, I saw him last in
New York.
(a.) In conclusion; finally.
(a.) At a time next preceding the present time.
(v. i.) To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence.
(v. i.) To endure use, or continue in existence, without
impairment or exhaustion; as, this cloth lasts better than that; the
fuel will last through the winter.
(v. i.) A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots
and shoes are formed.
(v. t.) To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place
smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot.
(n.) A load; a heavy burden; hence, a certain weight or measure,
generally estimated at 4,000 lbs., but varying for different articles
and in different countries. In England, a last of codfish, white
herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn, ten
quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England, twenty-one
quarters; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing 100 lbs;
of red herrings, twenty cades, or 20,000; of hides, twelve dozen; of
leather, twenty dickers; of pitch and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool,
twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1,700 lbs.
(n.) The burden of a ship; a cargo.
