Best , v. t. To get the better of. [Colloq.]
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 , 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 (b&ebreve;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. bäst. 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.
Hear it pronounced