Lesser or lessor

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Grammarist

Lesser describes something has being smaller than something else, or having less of a certain quality. Not to be confused with fewer. Lesser is an adjective that is used before the noun it modifies. To be lesser-known is somewhat famous, but not of wide acclaim.

Lessor is a person who leases their property. It is commonly used in reference to airplanes. It has two pronunciations in British English with the stress being allowed on either syllable. In the United States it has only one accepted pronunciation, which places the stress on the final syllable. Incidentally, it comes from the Old French word lesser which meant to leave or lease. The person leasing the property is called a lessee.

Examples There are 60 wrecks designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act, 12 of which are ‘controlled’ – meaning that diving them is strictly prohibited – and 58 which have the lesser designation of “protected”, including the Repulse. [The Telegraph]

The Dismissal, an event one cannot speak of in a sentence, was a frightful trauma for them. It could have scarred and jaundiced a lesser couple for life, made him an internal exile in his own country, or a literal one in France or Italy. He made no such rancorous withdrawal. [Sydney Morning Herald]

Here’s a look at some of the lesser-known candidates and races across the GTA. [Toronto Star]

The world’s largest aircraft lessor aims to carry out the diversification partly because of concerns over the value of some current-generation jets, Norman Liu, chief executive of GE Capital Aviation Services, said in the interview. [Reuters]

The extension payment had been tendered to the original lessor, who had sold the property, unbeknownst to the lessee. [National Law Review]