Used adjectivally: some but not a considerable number of.

A malevolent spirit or demon, a ‘bugbear’ or bogey. Now historical and rare.

a lite (in early texts often written alite): a little. Used also adverbially.

gen. Two individuals (persons, animals, or things) of the same sort taken together; sometimes used spec. of such as are paired or associated by…

a…or two: an indefinite small number of (the things denoted by the noun); one or two of…; a few… (For one or two see one, adj. n.pron. phrases 1a.)

A small number or company (of people or things); a small quantity or amount; a few. Formerly frequently depreciative.

a wheen (of), a few: (in later use also) = a ‘good few’, a fair number.

More generally: used to denote a remainder or numerical surplus over and above a ‘round number’ (as a… In and odd forming with the numeral a…

A small number distributed sparingly or irregularly. Frequently with modifying word indicating the number so distributed. Also with modifying…

Simply: two. Formerly also: †a few, two or three (obsolete). Usually with of.

A sparse number or amount; a small proportion (of persons) interspersed.

In extended use: a small number or quantity. Chiefly with of. Cf. sprinkling, n.1 2.