Language:
Free Online Dictionary|3Dict

Good for nothing

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Good \Good\, a. [Compar. {Better}; superl. {Best}. These words,
   though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are
   from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS.
   g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god,
   Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and
   akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. {Gather}.]
   1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end
      designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness;
      serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable;
      commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive,
      or troublesome, etc.

            And God saw everything that he had made, and behold,
            it was very good.                     --Gen. i. 31.

            Good company, good wine, good welcome. --Shak.

   2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious;
      religious; -- said of persons or actions.

            In all things showing thyself a pattern of good
            works.                                --Tit. ii. 7.

   3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite;
      propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by
      to or toward, also formerly by unto.

            The men were very good unto us.       --1 Sam. xxv.
                                                  15.

   4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be
      relied upon; -- followed especially by for.

            All quality that is good for anything is founded
            originally in merit.                  --Collier.

   5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed
      especially by at.

            He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
                                                  --Shak.

            Those are generally good at flattering who are good
            for nothing else.                     --South.

   6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious;
      valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the
      discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary
      ability; of unimpaired credit.

            My reasons are both good and weighty. --Shak.

            My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that
            he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
                                                  --Shak.

   7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest;
      in good sooth.

            Love no man in good earnest.          --Shak.

   8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable;
      esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good
      degree, a good share or part, etc.

   9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.

            Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and
            running over.                         --Luke vi. 38.

   10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied;
       as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good
       repute, etc.

             A good name is better than precious ointment.
                                                  --Eccl. vii.
                                                  1.

   {As good as}. See under {As}.

   {For good}, or {For good and all}, completely and finally;
      fully; truly.

            The good woman never died after this, till she came
            to die for good and all.              --L'Estrange.

   {Good breeding}, polite or polished manners, formed by
      education; a polite education.

            Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   {Good cheap}, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap.

   {Good consideration} (Law).
       (a) A consideration of blood or of natural love and
           affection. --Blackstone.
       (b) A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a
           contract.

   {Good fellow}, a person of companionable qualities.
      [Familiar]

   {Good folk}, {or Good people}, fairies; brownies; pixies,
      etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.]

   {Good for nothing}.
       (a) Of no value; useless; worthless.
       (b) Used substantively, an idle, worthless person.

                 My father always said I was born to be a good
                 for nothing.                     --Ld. Lytton.

   {Good Friday}, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches
      as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or
      suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion.

   {Good humor}, or {Good-humor}, a cheerful or pleasant temper
      or state of mind.

   {Good nature}, or {Good-nature}, habitual kindness or
      mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of
      being in good humor.

            The good nature and generosity which belonged to his
            character.                            --Macaulay.

            The young count's good nature and easy
            persuadability were among his best characteristics.
                                                  --Hawthorne.

   {Good people}. See {Good folk} (above).

   {Good speed}, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old
      form of wishing success. See {Speed}.

   {Good turn}, an act of kidness; a favor.

   {Good will}.
       (a) Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling.
       (b) (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the
           tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and
           others, to resort to an established place of
           business; the advantage accruing from tendency or
           inclination.

                 The good will of a trade is nothing more than
                 the probability that the old customers will
                 resort to the old place.         --Lord Eldon.

   {In good time}.
       (a) Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor
           too late.
       (b) (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time.

   {To hold good}, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to
      remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the
      condition still holds good.

   {To make good}, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to
      supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or
      verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to
      clear; to vindicate.

            Each word made good and true.         --Shak.

            Of no power to make his wishes good.  --Shak.

            I . . . would by combat make her good. --Shak.

            Convenient numbers to make good the city. --Shak.

   {To think good}, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with;
      to consider expedient or proper.

            If ye think good, give me my price; and if not,
            forbear.                              --Zech. xi.
                                                  12.

   Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in
         greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night,
         good evening, good morning, etc.
Sort by alphabet : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z