最 combines a covering top with 取 (to take — originally a hand seizing an ear, the ancient battlefield trophy count). To take under one cover the very utmost: the most.
最 is the superlative switch: put it before anything and that thing wins — 最好 (best), 最大 (biggest), 最喜欢 (favorite: 'most like'). Chinese superlatives need no -est gymnastics, just 最. Internet Chinese loves stacking it: 最最最重要 ('the most most MOST important'). Ask anyone 你最喜欢什么? — 'what do you like MOST?' — and watch the conversation open.
Take 取 the top spot under the bar — the MOST.
One 最 replaces the entire English -er/-est/more/most system. Grammar shopping: everything must go.