best
Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Best \Best\ (b[e^]st), a.; 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. b["a]st. 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.
--Shak.
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 \Best\, n.
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 \Best\, adv.; superl. 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 \Best\, v. t.
To get the better of. [Colloq.]
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.
Source : WordNet®
well
adj 1: in good health especially after having suffered illness or
injury; "appears to be entirely well"; "the wound is
nearly well"; "a well man"; "I think I'm well; at
least I feel well" [ant: {ill}]
2: resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there";
"it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: {good}, {well(p)}]
3: wise or advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be well
to start early" [syn: {well(p)}]
[also: {better}, {best}]
well
n 1: a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil
or gas or brine
2: a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
3: an abundant source; "she was a well of information" [syn: {wellspring},
{fountainhead}]
4: an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a
stairway)
5: an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding
something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for
protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
[also: {better}, {best}]
well
adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the
children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party
went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis";
"a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
good" [syn: {good}] [ant: {ill}]
2: thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining
form; "The problem is well understood"; "she was well
informed"; "shake well before using"; "in order to avoid
food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked";
"well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers";
"well-educated"
3: indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "I might
well do it"; "a mistake that could easily have ended in
disaster"; "you may well need your umbrella"; "he could
equally well be trying to deceive us" [syn: {easily}]
4: (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully;
"a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the
difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might
be going on"
5: to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree; "the project
was well underway"; "the fetus has well developed organs";
"his father was well pleased with his grades"
6: favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of
them"; "he thought well of the book" [ant: {ill}]
7: to a great extent or degree; "I'm afraid the film was well
over budget"; "painting the room white made it seem
considerably (or substantially) larger"; "the house has
fallen considerably in value"; "the price went up
substantially" [syn: {considerably}, {substantially}]
8: with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them
well" [syn: {intimately}]
9: with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say
nothing more"; "could not well refuse"
10: with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he
writes well" [ant: {badly}]
11: in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married
well"; "The children were settled advantageously in
Seattle" [syn: {advantageously}] [ant: {badly}, {badly}]
12: in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able
to live comfortably since her husband died" [syn: {comfortably}]
13: without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
"took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well" [ant: {badly}]
[also: {better}, {best}]
well
v : come up; "Tears well in her eyes" [syn: {swell}]
[also: {better}, {best}]
best
See {well}
best
n 1: the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" [ant:
{worst}]
2: the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who
tops all others; "he could beat the best of them" [syn: {topper}]
3: Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who
assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the
discovery of insulin (1899-1978) [syn: {C. H. Best}, {Charles
Herbert Best}]
best
adj 1: (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities;
"the best film of the year"; "the best solution"; "the
best time for planting"; "wore his best suit" [ant: {worst}]
2: (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more
advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to
speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to
respond" [syn: {better(p)}, {best(p)}]
best
v : get the better of; "the goal was to best the competition"
[syn: {outdo}, {outflank}, {trump}, {scoop}]
best
adv 1: in a most excellent way or manner; "he played best after a
couple of martinis"
2: it would be sensible; "you'd best stay at home"
3: from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows
best"; "I know better." [syn: {better}]
best
See {good}
good
adj 1: having desirable or positive qualities especially those
suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the
hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good
she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for
cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table";
"a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior
paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the
office" [ant: {bad}]
2: having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure";
"gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" [syn: {full}]
3: morally admirable [ant: {evil}]
4: deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies
give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name" [syn: {estimable},
{honorable}, {respectable}]
5: promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation
agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial
effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good
for her" [syn: {beneficial}]
6: superior to the average; "in fine spirits"; "a fine
student"; "made good grades"; "morale was good"; "had good
weather for the parade" [syn: {fine}]
7: agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good
manners"
8: of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just
cause"; "an upright and respectable man"; "the life of the
nation is secure only while the nation is honest,
truthful, and virtuous"- Frederick Douglass [syn: {just},
{upright}, {virtuous}]
9: having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept
in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a
good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient
engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer";
"the effect was achieved by skillful retouching" [syn: {adept},
{expert}, {practiced}, {proficient}, {skillful}, {skilful}]
10: thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good
cleaning"
11: with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good
friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"
[syn: {dear}, {near}]
12: having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the
welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile";
"a benevolent nature" [syn: {benevolent}] [ant: {malevolent}]
13: financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure
investment" [syn: {dependable}, {safe}, {secure}]
14: most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good
time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the
time is ripe for great sociological changes" [syn: {right},
{ripe}]
15: resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there";
"it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: {well(p)}]
16: exerting force or influence; "the law is effective
immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law
is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: {effective}, {in
effect(p)}, {in force(p)}]
17: feeling healthy and free of aches and pains; "I feel good"
[syn: {good(p)}]
18: capable of pleasing; "good looks"
19: appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn:
{serious}]
20: in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have
one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body" [syn: {sound}]
21: tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to
health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good
night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air"
[syn: {beneficial}, {salutary}]
22: not forged; "a good dollar bill"
23: not left to spoil; "the meat is still good" [syn: {unspoiled},
{unspoilt}]
24: generally admired; "good taste"
[also: {better}, {best}]
good
n 1: benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?"
2: moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be
found in people" [syn: {goodness}] [ant: {evil}, {evil}]
3: that which is good or valuable or useful; "weigh the good
against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are
happiness and self-realization" [syn: {goodness}] [ant: {bad},
{bad}]
[also: {better}, {best}]
good
adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the
children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party
went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis";
"a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
good" [syn: {well}] [ant: {ill}]
2: in a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used
informally for `thoroughly'); "he was soundly defeated";
"we beat him good" [syn: {thoroughly}, {soundly}]
[also: {better}, {best}]
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