best

best
{{11}}best (adj.) O.E. beste, reduced by assimilation of -t- from earlier O.E. betst "best, first, in the best manner," originally superlative of bot "remedy, reparation," the root word now only surviving in to boot (see BOOT (Cf. boot) (2)), though its comparative, BETTER (Cf. better), and superlative, best, have been transferred to GOOD (Cf. good) (and in some cases WELL (Cf. well)). From P.Gmc. root *bat-, with comparative *batizon and superlative *batistaz (Cf. O.Fris., O.S., M.Du. best, O.H.G. bezzist, Ger. best, O.N. beztr, Goth. batists).
The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
[Burns]
Best-seller as short for "best-selling book" is from 1902, apparently originally in the publishing trade; best friend was in Chaucer (late 14c.). Best girl is first attested 1881, Amer.Eng.; best man is 1814, originally Scottish, replacing groomsman. To be able to do something with the best of them is recorded by 1748.
{{12}}best (n.) c.1200, from BEST (Cf. best) (adj.).
{{12}}best (v.) "to get the better of," 1863, from BEST (Cf. best) (adj.). Related: Bested; besting.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • 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

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