Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Better \Bet"ter\, a.; compar. of Good. [OE. betere, bettre, and
   as adv. bet, AS. betera, adj., and bet, adv.; akin to Icel.
   betri, adj., betr, adv., Goth. batiza, adj., OHG. bezziro,
   adj., baz, adv., G. besser, adj. and adv., bass, adv., E.
   boot, and prob. to Skr. bhadra excellent. See {Boot}
   advantage, and cf. {Best}, {Batful}.]
   1. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another;
      as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a
      better air.

            Could make the worse appear The better reason.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness,
      acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.

            To obey is better than sacrifice.     --1 Sam. xv.
                                                  22.

            It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
            confidence in princes.                --Ps. cxviii.
                                                  9.

   3. Greater in amount; larger; more.

   4. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the
      patient is better.

   5. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance;
      a better knowledge of the subject.

   {All the better}. See under {All}, adv.

   {Better half}, an expression used to designate one's wife.

            My dear, my better half (said he), I find I must now
            leave thee.                           --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

   {To be better off}, to be in a better condition.

   {Had better}. (See under {Had}).

   Note: The phrase had better, followed by an infinitive
         without to, is idiomatic. The earliest form of
         construction was ``were better'' with a dative; as,
         ``Him were better go beside.'' (--Gower.) i. e., It
         would be better for him, etc. At length the nominative
         (I, he, they, etc.) supplanted the dative and had took
         the place of were. Thus we have the construction now
         used.

               By all that's holy, he had better starve Than but
               once think this place becomes thee not. --Shak.

Better \Bet"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bettered}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Bettering}.] [AS. beterian, betrian, fr. betera better.
   See {Better}, a.]
   1. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities
      of.

            Love betters what is best.            --Wordsworth.

            He thought to better his circumstances. --Thackeray.

   2. To improve the condition of, morally, physically,
      financially, socially, or otherwise.

            The constant effort of every man to better himself.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   3. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.

            The works of nature do always aim at that which can
            not be bettered.                      --Hooker.

   4. To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest
      of. [Obs.]

            Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve
            to better us and worse our foes.      --Milton.

   Syn: To improve; meliorate; ameliorate; mend; amend; correct;
        emend; reform; advance; promote.

Better \Bet"ter\, n.
   1. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of;
      as, to get the better of an enemy.

   2. One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in
      merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.

            Their betters would hardly be found.  --Hooker.

   {For the better}, in the way of improvement; so as to produce
      improvement. ``If I have altered him anywhere for the
      better.'' --Dryden.

Better \Bet"ter\, adv.; compar. of {Well}.
   1. In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill
      and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as,
      Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than
      recruits.

            I could have better spared a better man. --Shak.

   2. More correctly or thoroughly.

            The better to understand the extent of our
            knowledge.                            --Locke.

   3. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one
      better than another.

            Never was monarch better feared, and loved. --Shak.

   4. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten
      miles and better. [Colloq.]

   {To think better of} (any one), to have a more favorable
      opinion of any one.

   {To think better of} (an opinion, resolution, etc.), to
      reconsider and alter one's decision.

Better \Bet"ter\, v. i.
   To become better; to improve. --Carlyle.

Better \Bet"ter\, n.
   One who bets or lays a wager.

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}]

better
     See {well}

better
     adj 1: (comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same
            class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or
            desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than
            another; "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din";
            "a better coat"; "a better type of car"; "a suit with
            a better fit"; "a better chance of success"; "produced
            a better mousetrap"; "she's better in math than in
            history" [ant: {worse}]
     2: (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or
        fitness; "her health is better now"; "I feel better" [ant:
         {worse}]
     3: (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)}]
     4: more than half; "argued for the better part of an hour"

better
     n 1: one having claim to precedence; a superior; "the common man
          has been kept in his place by his betters"
     2: someone who bets [syn: {bettor}, {wagerer}, {punter}]
     3: the superior one of two alternatives; "chose the better of
        the two"

better
     adv 1: comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner
            or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater
            degree etc.; "She had never sung better"; "a deed
            better left undone"; "better suited to the job"
     2: from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows
        best"; "I know better." [syn: {best}]
     v 1: surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break
          a record" [syn: {break}]
     2: to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his
        changes" [syn: {improve}, {amend}, {ameliorate}, {meliorate}]
        [ant: {worsen}]
     3: get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn: {improve},
         {ameliorate}, {meliorate}] [ant: {worsen}]

better
     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}]