As a comparative corresponding in sense to great. Modifying a noun which expresses quantity or amount, esp. as a proportion of a whole. In early…

That is the largest or greatest; most. Chiefly in the best part of: almost all of, most of. Cf. better, adj. 5.

(the) most part: (a) the greatest or greater part, the majority, most; †(b) (as adv.) mostly, mainly, on the whole (obsolete). †(the) most part all…

(the) most part: (a) the greatest or greater part, the majority, most; †(b) (as adv.) mostly, mainly, on the whole (obsolete). †(the) most part all…

(the) most part: (a) the greatest or greater part, the majority, most; †(b) (as adv.) mostly, mainly, on the whole (obsolete). †(the) most part all…

a (also in, of) party: partly; somewhat, a little. Also with modifying word, as in (also a) great party: to a great extent, for the most part. for…

for (also †be, in) the most part (also †deal, †party): usually, generally, in general, on the whole, in most cases; as regards the greater or…

Larger, greater. Chiefly in the better part of: almost all of, most of. Cf. best, adj. 5.

A greater number; more individuals of the kind specified or implied. Const. than. the mo: the majority, the greater part. Obsolete.

(Without article prefixed): A large quantity or number, plenty; const. of, which is omitted in quot. 1400 (cf. French force gens and the like). most…

The greater number or part, the majority, mass, or bulk of (people, things, etc.). See also sum and substance at phrases 3. Now rare.

transferred. Of things: The ‘body’ or substance of a thing; the main bulk; also, a body or material substance.

The main body, the greater part; the majority of. Usually with plural agreement in later use.

With the. That constitutes more than half, larger, more considerable in number or quantity, that is in the majority, as the greater part, †the greater…

three of the four equal parts into which anything is or may be divided; loosely, the greater part of anything.

Usually with plural agreement. The greater part of a set of persons or things; the bulk, the majority.

With the: the bulk, the greater part; = effect, n. 3c; frequently in the most feck. Also: a (large) amount; number, quantity.

= body, n. 8 12a 12b: Collective whole or mass; the substance, main portion, bulk, or sum; body (of law, science, etc.) corps of law = corpus juris…

The greatest part of, the majority of (followed by a singular noun or pronoun). †Occasionally with the. Cf. sense A. 4b.

Nine parts out of ten; (more generally) almost all. Also written 9/10ths.

Usually with the. The larger portion of something; more than half. Cf. the better part of at better, adj. 5.

Usually with plural agreement. The greater part of a set or group of people; people in general or as a whole, the multitude. Now rare.

Originally Scottish. More than half of the whole or of the total number (esp. in an election, referendum, etc.); = majority, n.1 3a. In early use…

The main portion of a group or class, esp. of people; the majority; the larger part, the bulk of anything.

With the. That constitutes more than half, larger, as the great body (of), the great part (of), etc. Cf. greater, adj. 1b.

A sudden plentiful increase or abundance of anything. Also, rarely, †the mass, great majority.

three out of four equal parts or portions into which a whole is or may be divided; three quarters. Often loosely or hyperbolically, the greater part…

The greater part of a period of time; the most part. Cf. sense A. 5.

Mass, main body. Obsolete.

The greater part; the majority, the bulk. Obsolete.

Hence, allusively, the whole mass or quantity of anything. Also, the ‘mass’, ‘bulk’, great majority. Obsolete.

Greater part, or, in relation to number, the majority; the main body. (Sc. bouk; cf. body, n. 8.)

The greater number or part; a number which is more than half the total number, esp. of votes; spec. (in a deliberative assembly or electoral…

nineteen in (also of, out of) twenty: the great majority.

The preponderating weight; the net result of estimating conflicting principles, forces, etc.

figurative. (See quot. 1800.)

The bulk, mass, or main part. U.S. colloquial.

spec. The head man or ruler of a clan, tribe, or small primitive community. bigor great white chief: a jocular name (modelled on the speech of…

a force: a large number or quantity, a great deal. the force: ? the majority. Obsolete exc. dialect.

the greater part of anything (colloquial and dialect).