1. | 较小的;较少的;次要的not as great in size, amount or importance as sth/sb else |
people of lesser importance 次要人物 | |
They were all involved to a greater or lesser degree(= some were more involved than others) . 他们或多或少都受到了牵连。 | |
The law was designed to protect wives, and, to a lesser extent, children. 这条法律是为了保护妻子,其次是保护子女。 | |
He was encouraged to plead guilty to the lesser offence. 有人怂恿他供认犯了那个较轻的罪行。 |
2. | (用于比同类小的动植物名称)小used in the names of some types of animals, birds and plants which are smaller than similar kinds |