best

best
\ \ [OE] Best and better, the anomalous superlative and comparative of good, go back to a prehistoric Germanic base *bat-, which is related to the archaic English bootremedy’ (as in to boot) and meant generallyadvantage, improvement’. Its comparative and superlative were *batizon and *batistaz, which came into Old English as respectively betera and betest (gradually reduced via betst to best).
\ \ The term best man originated in Scotland; it has gradually replaced the earlier bride(s)man and groomsman.
\ \ Cf.BETTER, BOOT

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Best — may refer to: *the superlative of good (as in best of ... for example) *the superlative of well ;Places *Best, Netherlands municipality in the Netherlands *Best, North Carolina *Best, Texas;Music *Best of... tag used in published music records… …   Wikipedia

  • 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} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Best — Best, v. t. To get the better of. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Best & Co. — For the Richmond, Virginia based catalog store see Best Products, and the clothing store with the same name see Best Co. Best Co. is a children s clothing retailer based in Greenwich, Connecticut. It reestablished the name of the New York City… …   Wikipedia

  • best — I. adjective, superlative of good Etymology: Middle English, from Old English betst; akin to Old English bōt remedy more at better Date: before 12th century 1. excelling all others < the best student > 2. most productive of good ; offering or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • best — See: AS BEST ONE CAN, AT BEST, FOR THE BEST, GET THE BETTER OF or GET THE BEST OF, HAD BETTER or HAD BEST, HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, MAKE THE BEST OF, PUT ONE S BEST FOOT FORWARD, SECOND BEST, TO THE BEST OF ONE S KNOWLEDGE, WITH THE BEST… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • best — See: AS BEST ONE CAN, AT BEST, FOR THE BEST, GET THE BETTER OF or GET THE BEST OF, HAD BETTER or HAD BEST, HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, MAKE THE BEST OF, PUT ONE S BEST FOOT FORWARD, SECOND BEST, TO THE BEST OF ONE S KNOWLEDGE, WITH THE BEST… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Best...I — Infobox Album | Name = Best...I Type = Compilation album Artist = The Smiths Released = August 17, 1992 Recorded = 1983–1987 Genre = Alternative rock Length = 45:09 Producer = Various (see main text) Label = WEA Reviews = *AllmusicRating|2|5… …   Wikipedia

  • ...Best II — Infobox Album | Name = ...Best II Type = Compilation album Artist = The Smiths Released = November 2, 1992 Recorded = 1983–1987 Genre = Alternative rock Length = ??:?? Producer = Various (see main text) Label = WEA Reviews = *AllmusicRating|2|5… …   Wikipedia

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