Can "most" be "very rare"?

rare: not common, not usually found

I suppose so, but I see your problem. "Most" usually denotes a significant number.



I'd accept it as stated.

No, I don't think so.



Say, just for example, that there are 50 different "types" of Y chroms. Suppose that 11 of those types are relatively common. OK, now what?

Most (39 out of 50) types are rare.

I would say it may have that connotation, but not that denotation. Literally, most just means something like: "a majority or more."

It's strictly a comparative thing (part to whole). If, out of 3 people, two wear hats, then, with respect to that group it would be appropriate to say "most wear hats," even though its only 2.

But (to respond directly to the post title) "most" cannot also mean "very rare" when talking about the same thing in the same context. Even though it's only 2 in this case, it would be wrong to say, in the case of this group, that it is "rare to wear a hat."

Oh for goodness sake.