(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer; "less than three weeks"; "no less than 50 people attended"; "in 25 words or less"
(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality; "no less than perfect"
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs; "less interesting"; "less expensive"; "less quickly"
comparative of little; "she walks less than she should"; "he works less these days"
giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation; "scandalous behavior"; "the wicked rascally shameful conduct of the bankrupt"- Thackeray; "the most shocking book of its time"