Obs. [f. LITTLE + WHAT. Cf. littles what s.v. LITTLE B. 3 c.] A small portion or quantity (of); somewhat. Also A little what (advb.): in some degree, somewhat.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 62. So þat ech on myȝte take a litil what of breed.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 99. Twenty ȝere and a litelwhat more. Ibid., V. 191. And so he reste a litel what sittynge [L. modicum sedendo]. Ibid. (1398), Barth. De P. R., IV. ix. (Tollem. MS.). A litill what swete in sauoure [L. in sapore parum dulce].
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4392. Or þi lare a litill-quat likis me to write.
