not as great in size, amount or importance as something/somebody else 较小的；较少的；次要的 people of lesser importance 次要人物 They were all involved to a greater or lesser degree (= some were more involved than others). 他们或多或少都受到了牵连。 The law was designed to protect wives, and, to a lesser extent, children. 这条法律是为了保护妻子，其次是保护子女。 He was encouraged to plead guilty to the lesser offence. 有人怂恿他认那个较轻的罪。 - (humorous)
He doesn’t even acknowledge us lesser mortals (= people who are not as important or powerful). 他甚至不承认我们这些小人物。 A lesser woman would have given up. 一个地位较低的女人会放弃。
- (specialist)
used in the names of some types of animals, birds and plants that are smaller than similar kinds （用于比同类小的动植物名称）小 a lesser black-backed gull 一种较小的黑背鸥
opposite greater
Word OriginMiddle English: a double comparative, from less + -er.
Idioms
the lesser of two evils | the lesser evil
the less unpleasant of two unpleasant choices 两害相权之轻者