smaller in amount, degree, or importance
Middle English, comparative of 'less'
Lesser is less-er than greater!
Historically applied to women as 'lesser sex' (inferior intellect, strength, agency); entrenched in law, medicine, philosophy to justify exclusion from education, politics, property.
Use comparative language precisely: 'smaller', 'different scope', 'specialized' instead of 'lesser' when describing people or capabilities. Avoid moral-sounding hierarchies.
["different","smaller in scope","narrower focus"]
Women scholars, scientists, and leaders have consistently demonstrated equal intellectual and moral capacity; 'lesser' reflects historical erasure, not reality.
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