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Webster 1913 Edition

Best

Best

(bĕst)
,
Adj.
; superl. of Good.
[AS.
besta
,
best
, contr. from
betest
,
betst
,
betsta
; akin to Goth.
batists
, OHG.
pezzisto
, G.
best
,
beste
, D.
best
, Icel.
beztr
, Dan.
best
, Sw.
bäst
. This word has no connection in origin with
good
. See
Better
.]
1.
Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good, kind, desirable, suitable, etc.; most excellent;
as, the
best
man; the
best
road; the
best
cloth; the
best
abilities
.
When he is
best
, he is a little worse than a man.
Shakespeare
Heaven’s last,
best
gift, my ever new delight.
Milton.
2.
Most advanced; most correct or complete;
as, the
best
scholar; the
best
view of a subject
.
3.
Most; largest;
as, the
best
part of a week
.
Best man
,
the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony.

Best

,
Noun.
Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action;
as, to do one's
best
; to the
best
of our ability
.
At best
,
in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is at best very short.
–
For best
,
finally.
[Obs.]
“Those constitutions . . . are now established for best, and not to be mended.”
Milton.
–
To get the best of
,
to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly.
–
To make the best of
.
(a)
To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage.
“Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can make the best of them.”
Bacon.
(b)
To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.

Best

,
adv.
;
sup
erl.
of
Well
.
1.
In the highest degree; beyond all others.
“Thou serpent! That name best befits thee.”
Milton.
He prayeth
best
, who loveth
best

All things both great and small.
Coleridge.
2.
To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety.
Had we
best
retire? I see a storm.
Milton.
Had I not
best
go to her?
Thackeray.
3.
Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly;
as, what is expedient is
best
known to himself
.

Best

,
Verb.
T.
To get the better of.
[Colloq.]

Webster 1828 Edition

Best

BEST

,
Adj.
superlative. [Eng.but;] Literally, most advanced, Hence,
1.
Most good; having good qualities in the highest degree; applied indifferently to physical or moral subjects; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities. This, like most, and other attributes, is often used without its noun, when the noun is obvious; as, men are all sinners; the best of them fail in the performance of duty.
2.
Most advanced; most accurate; as the best scholar.
3.
Most correct or complete; as the best view of a landscape, or of a subject.
4.
The best. This phrase is elliptical, and may be variously interpreted; as, the utmost power; the strongest endeavor; the most, the highest perfection; as, let a man do his best; let him do a thing to the best of his power.
5.
At best, in the best manner, in the utmost degree or extent, applicable to the case; as, life is at best very short.
To make the best of, to carry to its greatest perfection; to improve to the utmost; as, to make the best of a sum of money, or a piece of land. Also, to permit the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.
The best of the way. We had made the best of our way to the city; that is, the most, the greatest part of the distance. [This is the primary sense of the word.]

BEST

,
adv.
In the highest degree; beyond all other; as, to love one best; to like this best; to please best.
1.
To the advantage; with the most ease; as,'which instrument can you best use?'
2.
With most profit or success; as, money is best employed in manufactures; this medicine will answer best in the present case.
3.
Most intimately or particularly; most correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself.

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