leastways

American  

[leest-weyz] / ˈlistˌweɪz /

adverb

Dialect.

1. at least; at any rate; leastwise.

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leastways British  

/ ˈliːstˌweɪz /

adverb

1. informal at least; anyway; at any rate

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Etymology

Origin of leastways

First recorded in 1350–1400, leastways is from Middle English leest weye. See least, -ways

Example Sentences

‘Go now? What’s your little game? It isn’t time yet. It can’t be tea-time even, leastways not in decent places where there is tea-time.’

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

“Ah didn’t aim tuh let on tuh yuh ’bout it, leastways not right away, but Ah ruther be shot wid tacks than fuh you tuh act wid me lak you is right now.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

‘I saw him, Mr. Butterbur,’ said a hobbit; ‘or leastways I didn’t see him, if you take my meaning. He just vanished into thin air, in a manner of speaking.’

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Once last winter they was 'most a blizzard; leastways the wind set back on its hind-legs and howled.

From Vignettes of Manhattan; Outlines in Local Color by Matthews, Brander

Thar haint no danger, Miss, leastways not yet; wots all this fuss about anyhow?

From Blazing The Way True Stories, Songs and Sketches of Puget Sound by Denny, Emily Inez