few

adj. Not many (few doctors smoke). n. (as pl.) 1 (prec. By a) some but not many (a few of his friends were there). 2 not many (few are chosen). 3 (prec. By the) a the minority. B the elect.  a good few colloq. Fairly large number. No fewer than as many as (a specified number). Not a few a considerable number. [old english]

superl. Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; -- indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituing a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people.