last

{{11}}last (adj., adv.) "following all others," from O.E. latost (adj.) and lætest (adv.), superlative of læt (see LATE (Cf. late)). Cognate with O.Fris. lest, Du. laatst, O.H.G. laggost, Ger. letzt. Meaning "most recent" is from c.1200. The noun, "last person or thing," is c.1200, from the adjective. Last hurrah is from the title of Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel. Last word "final, definitive statement" is from 1650s. A dying person's last words so called by 1740. As an adjective, last-minute attested from 1913. Last-chance (adj.) is from 1962.

{{12}}last (n.) "shoemaker's block," from O.E. læste, from last "track, footprint, trace," from P.Gmc. *laist- (Cf. O.N. leistr "the foot," M.Du., Du. leest "form, model, last," O.H.G. leist "track, footprint," Ger. Leisten "last," Goth. laistjan "to follow," O.E. læran "to teach"); see LAST (Cf. last) (v.).

{{12}}last (v.) "endure, go on existing," from O.E. læstan "to continue, endure," earlier "accomplish, carry out," lit. "to follow a track," from P.Gmc. *laistjan "to follow a track" (Cf. Goth. laistjan "to follow," O.Fris. lasta "to fulfill, to pay (duties)," Ger. leisten "to perform, achieve, afford"), from PIE *leis- "track, furrow." Related to LAST (Cf. last) (n.), not to last (adj.). Related: Lasted; lasting.