πλεῖστος
pleîstos
G4118 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Superlative form meaning 'the greatest in number, amount, or degree; majority; very great'. In context, refers to the largest portion or extent of something, the highest quantity, or the greatest size or magnitude. Can function as an adjective or substantive, describing the superlative of many or much.
Semantic Range
largest number, greatest amount, majority, very great, the most, very many, the highest degree
Root / Etymology
Superlative form of πολύς (polys, 'many, much'). Formed irregularly, rather than regular superlative πολύτατος.
Historical & Contextual Notes
πλεῖστος appears in both classical and Koine Greek, functioning as the superlative of πολύς ('many, much'), though the more regular superlative would be πολύτατος. In classical Greek, πλεῖστος is the standard superlative, often meaning 'the greatest number, the majority, very many', and may also intensify the sense of much or great. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage continues largely unchanged, though the context often determines whether it refers to number, amount, or degree. In translation traditions, it is frequently rendered 'most', 'very great', 'the majority', or 'the largest'; however, the nuance between quantitative and qualitative greatness can be context-dependent. As a substantive, it may mean 'the majority' (of a group or people). Unlike related forms (e.g., μεγάς, which emphasizes greatness or size, not necessarily quantity), πλεῖστος focuses specifically on the superlative extent of number or amount. The form is mostly found in literary and formal contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
irregular superlative of πολύς; the largest number or very large:--very great, most.
Root Family
πλεῖστος (pleistos) — many, much, great (superlative)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4118-03 |
πλεῖστος | pleistos | ADJ.A NOM M SG SUPL |
very large | the greatest | 2 |
G4118-01 |
πλεῖσται | pleistai | ADJ.A NOM F PL SUPL |
the most | 1 | |
G4118-02 |
πλεῖστον | pleiston | ADJ.A ACC N SG SUPL |
at the most | the greatest amount | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4118-01 |
Matthew 11:20 | πλεῖσται | pleistai | ADJ.A NOM F PL SUPL |
the most | |
G4118-03 |
Matthew 21:8 | πλεῖστος | pleistos | ADJ.A NOM M SG SUPL |
the greatest | |
G4118-03 |
Mark 4:1 | πλεῖστος | pleistos | ADJ.A NOM M SG SUPL |
very large | the greatest |
G4118-02 |
1 Corinthians 14:27 | πλεῖστον | pleiston | ADJ.A ACC N SG SUPL |
at the most | the greatest amount |