Noah Webster
Than
THAN, adverb This word is placed after some comparative adjective or adverb, to express comparison between what precedes and what follows. Thus Elijah said, I am not better than my fathers. Wisdom is better than strength. Israel loved Joseph more than all his children. All nations are counted less than nothing. I who am less than the least of all saints. The last error shall be worse than the first. He that denies the faith is worse than an infidel.
After more, or an equivalent termination, the following word implies less, or worse; after less, or an equivalent termination, it implies more or better.