'BEST' definitions:

Definition of 'best'

From: WordNet
adverb
In a most excellent way or manner; "he played best after a couple of martinis"
adverb
It would be sensible; "you'd best stay at home"
adverb
From a position of superiority or authority; "father knows best"; "I know better." [syn: better, best]
adjective
(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]
adjective
(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)]
noun
The supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" [ant: worst]
noun
The person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others; "he could beat the best of them" [syn: best, topper]
noun
Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978) [syn: Best, C. H. Best, Charles Herbert Best]
verb
Get the better of; "the goal was to best the competition" [syn: outdo, outflank, trump, best, scoop]

Definition of 'Best'

From: GCIDE
  • 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[aum]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. [1913 Webster]
  • When he is best, he is a little worse than a man. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best scholar; the best view of a subject. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Most; largest; as, the best part of a week. [1913 Webster]
  • Best man, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Best'

From: GCIDE
  • Best \Best\, adv.; superl. of Well.
  • 1. In the highest degree; beyond all others. "Thou serpent! That name best befits thee." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety. [1913 Webster]
  • Had we best retire? I see a storm. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Had I not best go to her? --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Best'

From: GCIDE
  • Best \Best\, v. t. To get the better of. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Best'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Best'

From: GCIDE
  • 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.] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. --Gen. i. 31. [1913 Webster]
  • Good company, good wine, good welcome. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions. [1913 Webster]
  • In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works. --Tit. ii. 7. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto. [1913 Webster]
  • The men were very good unto us. --1 Sam. xxv. 15. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for. [1913 Webster]
  • All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit. --Collier. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at. [1913 Webster]
  • He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else. --South. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • My reasons are both good and weighty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth. [1913 Webster]
  • Love no man in good earnest. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete. [1913 Webster]
  • Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. --Luke vi. 38. [1913 Webster]
  • 10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • A good name is better than precious ointment. --Eccl. vii. 1. [1913 Webster]
  • As good as. See under As.
  • For good, or For good and all, completely and finally; fully; truly. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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 humor man, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence. [U. S.]
  • Good nature, or Good-nature, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor. [1913 Webster]
  • The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Each word made good and true. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Of no power to make his wishes good. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • I . . . would by combat make her good. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Convenient numbers to make good the city. --Shak.
  • To think good, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper. [1913 Webster]
  • If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. --Zech. xi. 12. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'best'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Acronyms for 'BEST'

From: V.E.R.A.
  • Borland Enhanced Support and Training (Borland)
  • Business Executive System for Timesharing (OS, Qantel)

Words containing 'BEST'