Forms: 1 betost, betast, betest, betst (3 bezst, 3–4 beist, 4–5 beste, 5 beest), 2– best. [Com. Teut.: OE. (adv.) bętst, earlier bętest, bętost = OFris., OS. (MDu., Du.) best, OHG. beȥȥist (MHG., mod.G. best), ON. bazt, bezt (Da. best, Sw. bäst), Goth. batist, OTeut. *batist, superlative belonging to the comp. *batiz, BETTER, q.v. The adj. differed from the adv. only in its inflexions; as nom. sing. masc. str. OTeut. *batisto-z, Goth. batist-s, ON. bazt-r, OE. bętest, wk. se bętsta, þæt bętste, etc. By assimilation of t to following s, the word has been reduced to best in Eng., as in all modern Teut. langs.]
A. adj. The superlative degree of GOOD: Most good. (Goodest, in 17th c. in Dryden, etc., was merely analogical; no such form is found in OTeut.)
I. As simple adjective.
1. Of the highest excellence, excelling all others in quality.
a. Said of persons, in respect of physical, mental, or esp. moral qualities; or as regards social standing, as in ‘the best people in the town.’
891. O. E. Chron. (Parker MS.). Se betsta lareow þe on Scottum wæs.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., V. iv. § 3. Scipia, se besta and se selesta Romana witena.
a. 1000. Crist, 1012 (Gr.). Æð-elduguð betast.
a. 1075. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1052. Ealle þa eorlas and þa betstan menn.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 12619. Þe beste maistris of þat toun.
1382. Wyclif, Dan. v. i. Balthasar, Kyng, made a grete fest to his best men a thousand.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 2752. Beste of bone and blood.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., I. ii. 102. Of many good, I thinke him best.
1601. Chester, in Shaks. C. Praise, 43. The best and chiefest of our moderne writers.
1693. W. Payne, Pract. Disc., i. § 2. 18. Some … failures and imperfections will stick to the best of Men.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, IX. iv. I will fight the best man of you all for twenty pound.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 267. The best Roman Catholic families in England.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., I. i. 68. In his own person he [Henry VIII.] was the best rider, the best lance, and the best archer in England.
b. Said of things, in respect of their essential qualities.
a. 1075. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1052. Eall þæt æfre betst wæs.
1297. R. Glouc., 370. Edgar Aþelyng þat best kunde in Engelond adde to be Kyng.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xliii. 11. Take ȝe of the beste fruytis of the loond.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., IX. xxvi. (1495), 363. In the Saturdaye men weren aournyd … with theyr beest clothes.
1552. Bk. Com. Prayer, Commun. (Rubr.). The best and purest Wheat Bread that conveniently may be gotten.
1653. Walton, Angler, 179. The Pearch … and the Pike are … the best of fresh water fish.
1751. Jortin, Serm. (1771), VII. i. 13. Acting according to their best judgement.
1834. Southey, Doctor, cxcix. (1862), 532. Best … in the shopkeeper’s vocabulary … is at the bottom of his scale of superlatives.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 172. The best years of his life.
2. Of persons: Most kind or beneficent. Of persons and things: Most advantageous or suitable for the object in view; most appropriate or desirable.
a. 1000. Beowulf, 6007. Nu is ofost betost, þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian.
a. 1240. Ureisun, 129, in Lamb. Hom., 197. Nim nu ȝeme to me so me best a beo ðe beo.
1297. R. Glouc., 504. To loki, wat were best to do.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5287. He þat til his in nede es beste.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 299. As best is for the soule.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cv. 126. It was thought nat beste to employ his people then.
1569. J. Rogers, Gl. Godly Love, 187. [He] knoweth what is beste for you.
1605. Shaks., Macb., III. iv. 4. In best time we will require her welcome.
1716. in Lond. Gaz., No. 5445/3. To be sold to the best Purchaser.
1879. Lockyer, Elem. Astron., iii. § 28. 157. The best way to obtain a knowledge of the various constellations.
Mod. colloq. Which of your brothers is best to you?
3. Largest, most; esp. in best part.
1538. Lisle Papers, XI. 49. Twenty nobles, of which I think he doth owe the best part for his rent.
1647. W. Browne, Polex., I. 215. The Artillery plaid, the best of an houre, on both sides.
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, II. x. (1715), 293. Fiery foam … which cover’d the best part of its natural Azure.
1834. Beckford, Italy, II. 265. I … rode the best part of the way.
1877. A. B. Edwards, Up Nile, xii. 318. The best part of three days.
4. In the idiomatic I, you, etc. had best (formerly me were best, afterwards I were best): it would be most advantageous for me, you, etc. For the history see BETTER.
c. 1330. Lay le Freine, 107. Yete me is best take mi chaunce.
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 306. What thing him were best to do.
1483. Cron. Englonde (1510), Q 6 b. He wyste not what he was beste to do.
1509. Fisher, Fun. Serm., Wks. 1876, I. 292. Doubtfull in her mynde what she were best to do.
1584. Lyly, Campaspe, IV. i. He were best be as cunning as a bee.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., I. iii. 24. Tell me, whether were I best to send him? Ibid. (1611), Cymb., III. ii. 59. Madam, you’re best consider.
1628. Powerf. Fav., 77. Liuia may … resolue whether she were best to marry againe.
1636. Ariana, 102. Ignorant of what hee was best to doe.
1559. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 61. You had best omit the worke.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Faust (1st. vers.), ix. Stand aside, you had best.
1639. Massinger, Unnat. Combat, V. ii. Thou hadst best follow her.
1710. Addison, Tatler, No. 221, ¶ 2. Whether I had best sell my Beetles in a Lump.
1777. Garrick, Sheridan’s Sch. Scand., Prol. 21. A certain Lord had best beware.
1608. Southey, Lett. (1856), II. 52. The ‘Monthly’ must needs be sore, and had best be civil.
1877. Mallock, New Rep. (1878), 145. I had best not give her any.
5. Phrases and locutions. Best work: a miner’s term for the best class of ore. Also BEST-MAN. To put one’s best foot or leg foremost: to do one’s best to get on. To turn the best side outward: to make the best appearance possible. At the best-hand: see HAND.
1663. Pepys, Diary, 9 Nov. A conceited man, and one that would put the best side outward.
1670. Cotton, Espernon, II. VIII. 364. Espernon … endeavour’d nevertheless all he could to turn the best side outward.
1840. Barham, Ingol. Leg., St. Odille, vi. She set off and ran, Put her best leg before.
II. absol. (rarely passing into sb.)
6. pl. (formerly also sing.) The best people.
c. 1050. Ags. Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, Voc., 466. Prestantissimus, se betesta, and se fyrmesta.
1091. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.). Ðas forewarde ʓesworan xii þa betste of þes cynges healfe.
c. 1205. Lay., 707. Brutus þe wes cnight mid þane beste.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., A. 279. I-wyse quoth I my blysfol beste.
1737. Pope, Hor. Epist., ii. i. 286. Observe how seldom e’en the best succeed.
1864. Tennyson, Grandm., 20. Only at your age, Annie, I could have wept with the best.
7. sing. The best thing, point, circumstance, element.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 3. Heo nomen heore claþes and þe beste þet heo hefde.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 166. Prouyde for the woorst, the best wyll saue it selfe.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., III. i. 349. The best is, she hath no teeth to bite.
1597. Daniel, Civ. Wares, II. xxiv. We needes must take the seeming best of bad.
1654. Jenkyn, On Jude (1845), 30. The best is best cheap.
a. 1693. Killigrew, Chit-chat, I. i. I confess bad is the best.
b. individualized, or with indef. article a.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., xci. All these I better in one generall best.
1765. Tucker, Lt. Nat., I. 617. That unknown best appointed by divine provision. Ibid. The best we may attain by the road of virtue and discretion will be … a better best, than any we can arrive at [otherwise].
1881. Sportsman’s Year-bk., 192. [Cortis] has accomplished bests on record at 10 and 20 miles.
1884. Christmas Illus. Lond. News, 19/3. For certainly if I have a best I have not put it on.
8. With possessive. One’s best: † a. what is best for one; b. the best one can (do); esp. in To do one’s best, formerly, the best of one’s power.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 2456 (Gött.). Þai most nede part to seke þair beste [Fairf. to do þaire best].
1423. James I., Kingis Q., v. My best was more to loke Vpon the writing of this noble man.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814), 235. I shall do the best of my power.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 225. Ne for all his worst, nor for his best Open the dore at his request.
1585. Abp. Sandys, Serm. (1841), 112. When a man hath done his best, he must then begin again.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., II. ii. 145. Do thy best To pluck this crawling serpent from my brest.
1599. Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1637), 247. I have … also, to my best, avoyded that rashnesse.
c. 1620. Z. Boyd, Zion’s Flowers (1855), 42. To turne to him ’s our best.
1733. Pope, Hor. Sat., II. vi. 173. He did his best to seem to eat.
1863. Kingsley, Water Bab., 7. [He] would have done and behaved his best.
c. Best state, point or condition.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxix. 6. When man seemeth to bee at his best, hee is altogither nothing.
1828. Steuart, Plant. Guide, 489. Whatever is at its best … can admit of no further improvement.
1832. Athenæum, 197. She was at her best both as to voice and exertion on Tuesday last.
1871. Smiles, Charac., i. (1876), 1. It exhibits man at his best.
d. Best clothes.
1790. Burns, Tam O’Shanter. It was her best, and she was vauntie.
1794. Southey, Bot. Bay Eclog., ii. To go to fair I drest … in my Sunday’s best.
1830. Galt, Lawrie T., V. viii. (1849), 227. Mr. Herbert joined me, also in his modest best.
1859. Jephson, Brittany, xvi. 271. Little family parties dressed in their Sunday best.
III. Phrases. 9. With verbs.
a. To have the best (obs.), to have the best of it: to have the advantage in a contest, or greatest possible advantage in a transaction, and hence, the least possible disadvantage or loss; so b. To make the best of. c. To make the best of one’s way: to go by the most advantageous route, hence, to go with the greatest possible speed.
a. 1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., V. iii. 20. We hauing now the best at Barnet field.
1647. W. Browne, Polex., II. 343. I see well that Polexander must have the best … of his Enemies.
1832. Moore, Wks. (1862), 561. Those who had the best of the joke.
1846. Browning, Luria, I. i. You have so plainly here the best of it.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc. viii. 135. To conclude that the other had the best of it.
b. 1625. Bacon, Ess., Plantations (Arb.), 533 (J.). Freedome to carrie their Commodities, where they may make the Best of them.
1694. R. L’Estrange, Fables (1708), II. 75. Making the Best of a Bad Game.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz (C. D. ed.), 36. Accustomed to take things as they came, and to make the best of a bad job.
1862. Trollope, Orley F., i. (1874), 11. Making the best of it for herself.
c. 1704. Addison, Italy, 4. The next Day we again set Sail, and made the best of our way.
1716. Lond. Gaz., No. 5450/2. Captain Vernon was ordered … to make the best of his Way to Sheerness.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. vii. 154. The two brothers made the best of their way towards Bristol.
10. With prepositions:
a. † At the best, at best: at the best possible pitch, in the best possible way, manner or condition. Obs. At best: (taken) in the best circumstances, in the most favorable aspect, making every allowance, at most. At one’s best: see 8 c.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 132. The wynd … servede hem atte the best.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 29. And wel we weren esed atte beste [v.r. at the beste].
[1399. Pol. Poems (1859), II. 6. To stere peace oghte every man alyve … Ffor so this world mai stonden ate beste.
1485. Caxton, Trevisa’s Higden, I. xxx. (1527), 31. Of whiche cleye men make erthen vessell at beste.
1586. Cogan, Haven Health (1636), 169. Shell fishes be at the best when the moon increaseth, as the Poet Horace noteth.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. iii. 171. Good Brabantio, take up this mangled matter at the best.
1629. H. Burton, Truth’s Tri., 133. Our inherent righteousnesse, call it Christs merits, or what you will, is at the best but as Piscis in arido.
1645. Quarles, Sol. Recant., III. 48. Thy days are ev’ll at best.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 286. Man is a shortsighted creature at best.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, Wks. 1845, IV. 513. ’Tis a random shot at best.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., IV. § 19. 276. External Evidence must at the very best be but partial and secondary.
b. For the best: intended for, aiming at, tending to, the best result. † For my, his, etc., best: for my, his, etc., greatest advantage (obs.). † For best: finally; cf. ‘for good (and all),’ ‘for better or for worse’ (obs.).
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 271. I speke for youre beste. Ibid., Frankl. T., 158. Al is for the best.
c. 1450. Why I can’t be Nun, 156, in E. E. Poems (1862), 142. I hope hyt schalle be for the best.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. iii. 170. I hope all’s for the best. Ibid. (1607), Cor., IV. vi. 144. That we did we did for the best.
1794. Southey, Bot. Bay Eclog., iii. But all’s for the best.
1641. Milton, Reform., Wks. 1738, I. 5 (Webster). Those Constitutions of EDWARD VI. … are now establish’d for best, and not to be mended.
c. In the best = at best (see 10 a).
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. v. 27. Murther most foule, as in the best it is.
d. Of the best: of the best quality or sort.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., lv. Boke-lornut byrners and bischoppus of the beste.
1828. C. Croker, Fairy Leg., 481. After a supper which was of the best, they embarked.
e. To the best: in the best sense, for the best. (obs.) Also, To the utmost effort or extent (of one’s power, knowledge, belief, etc.).
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., xxxiv. Pream., To helpe and assiste hym to the best of their power.
1531. Tindale, Exp. & Notes (1849), 175. He taketh it to the best, and is not offended.
1843. C. Brontë, in Life (1857), I. 290. She … will always serve you … to the best of her abilities.
1863. Fr. Kemble, Resid. Georgia, 132. To the best of his belief.
1885. Law Rep., XIV. Q. Bench Div., 891. There was no such inspector to the best of our knowledge.
B. adv. Superlative of WELL.
1. With vbs. In the most excellent way, in the most eminent degree; in the most suitable manner, with the greatest advantage, to the fullest extent. (For the obs. alder-best, best of all, see ALL.)
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., ii. Ða bereafodon ælcere lustbærnesse þa ða ic him æfre betst truwode.
a. 1067. Chart. Eadweard, in Cod. Dipl., IV. 208. Swa freolice swa hit ic meseolf betst habbe.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 7. Þenne þu wenest þu scalt libben alre best.
c. 1205. Lay., 26606. Þe bezst [1250 best] þat lond cneowen.
c. 1380. Wyclif, De Dot. Eccl., Sel. Wks. III. 433. Ensaumple of siche deds exponeþ best Cristis lawe.
c. 1420. Sir Amadace, xl. He that furst is inne the feld, And best thenne justus thare.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. i. 59. But after death the tryall is to come, When best shall be to them, that liued best.
1602. T. Scott, Four Parad., in Farr’s S. P., II. 315. He that knowes thee best, knowes nought at all.
1615. Brathwait, Love’s Labyr. (1878), 276. A Countrie lasse best fits a Countrie Swaine.
1655. Milton, Sonn., xix. Who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.
c. 1680. Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 358. Cannot but … believe it to be well done, yea the best that could be.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Times (1823), I. 391. He excused himself the best he could.
1797. Coleridge, Anc. Mar., VII. xxiii. He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small.
1843. Macaulay, Ess. (1850), 686. The man who does best what multitudes do well.
2. With adjs. and pples. written (for syntactical distinctness) with the hyphen.
a. In the most excellent manner; as, best-aimed, -bred, -built, -clad, -conducted, -considered, † best-consulted (most prudent, or best-advised), -cultivated, -dressed, -established, -grounded, -laid, -looking, -made, -managed, best-meaning (most well-meaning), -meant, -moving, -preserved, -trained, etc.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., II. 29. We single you As our best-mouing faire soliciter.
a. 1659. Osborn, Observ. Turks (1673), 288. Queen Elizabeth … the best consulted Monarch that ever filled the English Throne.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac., II. 327. The best-meaning person in the world may err.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1806), V. lxx. 253. Maltitudes struck with the best-grounded terror.
1765. Tucker, Lt. Nat., II. 155. Counter to the clearest best-established principles of reason.
1785. Burns, To Mouse, vii. The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft agley.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., 241. To frustrate all our best-laid plans.
1794. Coleridge, Relig. Musings, 119. In her best-aimed blow Victorious murder a blind suicide.
1837. Lockhart, Scott (1839), VIII. 12. The best looking of her daughters.
1844. Marg. Fuller, Wom. 19th C. (1862), 147. The best-considered efforts have often failed.
1856. Farmer’s Mag., Nov., 384. The prizes given … for the best regulated farms.
1863. Lyell, Antiq. Man, 69. The best-preserved human skulls.
b. To the fullest extent, most: forming comb. differing little from ordinary superlatives; now usually written with the hyphen; as, best-accomplished, -beloved, -esteemed, -frequented, -known, -loved, -read, -skilled, etc.; including many obs. or arch. uses, as best able, agreeable, best-betrust (most to be trusted), learned, nourishing, pleasing, best valiant, worthy, etc.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 786. Let Torrent her have, For best worthy ys he.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 17 b. He sente his … best beloved sone into this worlde.
1571. Ascham, Scholem., I. (1863), 12. The best learned, and best men.
1579. E. K., in Spenser’s Sheph. Cal., Gen. Argt. § 2. The vsed and best knowen name.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. ii. 181. I doe feast to-night My best-esteemd acquaintance.
1601. Downfall Earl Huntington, V. i. in Hazl., Dodsl., VIII. 199. And you, Lord Ely! and old best-betruss’d?
1620. Venner, Via Recta, iii. 66. They are best agreeable to cholericke bodies.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 124. Best-bee-trust-Spies.
1641. Hinde, J. Bruen, 114. The first and best, and best worthy to bee first.
1685. Otway, Windsor Cast. The ugliest snakes, and best lov’d favourites there.
1724. Waterland, Eucharist (1737), 41. The generality of the best learned Men interpret it of the Eucharist.
1742. Jarvis, Quix., I. I. vii. To give me what I am best able to bear.
1844. Marg. Fuller, Wom. 19th C. (1862), 56. Binding the emblem of faith on the heart of the best-beloved.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., viii. (1878), 128. Will better know what is best to know than the best-read bishop.
1872. Jenkinson, Guide Eng. Lakes (1879), 4. One of the best-frequented houses in the district.
c. In parasynthetic comb. (where the hyphen is always used), meaning ‘having the best thing of its kind;’ as, best-conditioned, i.e., best condition + -ed, having or being in the best condition; so best-graced, -humo(u)red, -intentioned, -minded, -natured, -policied, -principled, -resolved, -sighted, -tempered, etc. Best-graced (1580), best-tempered (1594), may really belong to a., but lead to such as best-minded (1586), best-natured (1690).
1580. Sidney, Arcadia, 144. One of the proprest and best-graced men that euer I sawe. Ibid. (a. 1586), in Farr’s S. P., I. 75. Lest the best minded … Bend to abuses.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 381. Those natures that are most moderate and best tempered.
1627. Bp. Hall, Char. Virtues & V., 174. Blind in no mans cause, best-sighted in his owne.
1690. Norris, Beatitudes (1692), 134. He had the Best-natured … Soul in the World.
1774. Goldsm., Retal., Postscr. Thou best humoured man with the worst humoured muse.
1789. M. Huber, in Ld. Auckland’s Corr. (1861), II. 326. The two best-intentioned … of their order.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, vi. 369. The best conditioned of kings!
1863. J. C. Jeaffreson, Sir Everard’s Dau., 208. The best-natured fellow alive.
3. With agent-nouns, as best-wisher (cf. well-wisher).
1876. Miss Yonge, Womankind, viii. 58. Their best wishers are thankful if half are lost.
