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 generally ‘advantage, 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.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • BEST — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Adolfo Best Maugard (1891–1964), mexikanischer Künstler Ben Best, US amerikanischer Drehbuchautor und Schauspieler Charles Best (1899–1978), US amerikanischer Physiologe und Biochemiker Clyde Best (* 1951) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Best — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Adolfo Best Maugard (1891–1964), mexikanischer Künstler Ahmed Best (* 1973), US amerikanischer Synchronsprecher, Schauspieler und Musiker Ben Best, US amerikanischer Drehbuchautor und Schauspieler Benjamin …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • best — /best/, adj., superl. of good with better as compar. 1. of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students. 2. most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way. 3. largest; most: the best part of a day. adv …   Universalium

  • best*/*/*/ — [best] grammar word summary: Best can be: ■ an adjective: Which apples are best for cooking? ♦ It was the best party I ve ever been to. ■ an adverb: We ll choose the system that works best. ■ a noun: I ll do my best. 1) the superlative form of… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • best — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of the most excellent or desirable type or quality. 2) most suitable, appropriate, or sensible. ► ADVERB 1) to the highest degree; most. 2) to the highest standard. 3) most suitably, appropriately, or sensibly. ► …   English terms dictionary

  • 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 — [best] adj. [ME best, betst < OE betst (akin to Goth batists) < ? IE base * bhad , good > Sans bhadrá ḥ, fortunate, good] 1. superl. of GOOD 2. of the most excellent sort; surpassing all others 3. most suitable, most desirable, most… …   English World dictionary

  • 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 FM — Мультимедиа Холдинг Страна …   Википедия

  • best — I adjective above the average, beyond compare, brought to perfection, chief, choice, crowning, distinguished, exceptional, exemplary, extraordinary, faultless, favorite, first class, first rate, flawless, foremost, greater, highest, impeccable,… …   Law dictionary

  • 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”