4. Lowest in rank or degree; as, the last prize. Pope.
5. 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.
At last, at the end of a certain period; after delay. "The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived." Motley. — At the last. Etym: [Prob. fr. AS. on laste behind, following behind, fr. last race, track, footstep. See Last mold of the foot.] At the end; in the conclusion. [Obs.] "Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." Gen. xlix. 19. — Last heir, the person to whom lands escheat for want of an heir. [Eng.] Abbott. — On one's last legs, at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [Colloq.] — To breathe one's last, to die. — To the last, to the end; till the conclusion. And blunder on in business to the last. Pope.
Syn. — At Last, At Length. These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived.
LAST
Last, adv. Etym: [See Last, a.]
1. 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.
2. In conclusion; finally.lastly Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires, Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires. Dryden.
3. At a time next preceding the present time. How long is't now since last yourself and I Were in a mask Shak.
LAST
Last, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lasting.] Etym:
[OE. lasten, As. læstan to perform, execute, follow, last, continue,
fr. last, l, trace, footstep, course; akin to G. leisten to perform,
Goth. laistjan to follow. See Last mold of the foot.]
1. To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence. [I] proffered me to be slave in all that she me would ordain while my life lasted. Testament of Love.