Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
better

more about better

better


  8  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Better  \Bet"ter\,  a.;  compar.  of  Good.  [OE.  betere  bettre  and 
  as  adv  bet,  AS  betera  adj.,  and  bet,  adv.;  akin  to  Icel. 
  betri,  adj.,  betr,  adv.,  Goth.  batiza  adj.,  OHG.  bezziro 
  adj.,  baz,  adv.,  G.  besser,  adj  and  adv.,  bass,  adv.,  E. 
  boot,  and  prob.  to  Skr.  bhadra  excellent.  See  {Boot} 
  advantage,  and  cf  {Best},  {Batful}.] 
  1.  Having  good  qualities  in  a  greater  degree  than  another; 
  as  a  better  man;  a  better  physician;  a  better  house;  a 
  better  air. 
 
  Could  make  the  worse  appear  The  better  reason. 
  --Milton. 
 
  2.  Preferable  in  regard  to  rank,  value,  use  fitness, 
  acceptableness,  safety,  or  in  any  other  respect. 
 
  To  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice.  --1  Sam.  xv 
  22. 
 
  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  put 
  confidence  in  princes.  --Ps.  cxviii 
  9. 
 
  3.  Greater  in  amount;  larger;  more 
 
  4.  Improved  in  health;  less  affected  with  disease;  as  the 
  patient  is  better. 
 
  5.  More  advanced;  more  perfect;  as  upon  better  acquaintance; 
  a  better  knowledge  of  the  subject. 
 
  {All  the  better}.  See  under  {All},  adv 
 
  {Better  half},  an  expression  used  to  designate  one's  wife. 
 
  My  dear,  my  better  half  (said  he),  I  find  I  must  now 
  leave  thee.  --Sir  P. 
  Sidney. 
 
  {To  be  better  off},  to  be  in  a  better  condition. 
 
  {Had  better}.  (See  under  {Had}). 
 
  Note:  The  phrase  had  better,  followed  by  an  infinitive 
  without  to  is  idiomatic.  The  earliest  form  of 
  construction  was  ``were  better''  with  a  dative;  as 
  ``Him  were  better  go  beside.''  (--Gower.)  i.  e.,  It 
  would  be  better  for  him  etc  At  length  the  nominative 
  (I,  he  they  etc.)  supplanted  the  dative  and  had  took 
  the  place  of  were  Thus  we  have  the  construction  now 
  used 
 
  By  all  that's  holy,  he  had  better  starve  Than  but 
  once  think  this  place  becomes  thee  not  --Shak. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Better  \Bet"ter\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Bettered};  p.  pr  &  vb 
  n.  {Bettering}.]  [AS.  beterian  betrian  fr  betera  better. 
  See  {Better},  a.] 
  1.  To  improve  or  ameliorate;  to  increase  the  good  qualities 
  of 
 
  Love  betters  what  is  best.  --Wordsworth. 
 
  He  thought  to  better  his  circumstances.  --Thackeray. 
 
  2.  To  improve  the  condition  of  morally,  physically, 
  financially,  socially,  or  otherwise. 
 
  The  constant  effort  of  every  man  to  better  himself. 
  --Macaulay. 
 
  3.  To  surpass  in  excellence;  to  exceed;  to  excel. 
 
  The  works  of  nature  do  always  aim  at  that  which  can 
  not  be  bettered.  --Hooker. 
 
  4.  To  give  advantage  to  to  support;  to  advance  the  interest 
  of  [Obs.] 
 
  Weapons  more  violent,  when  next  we  meet  May  serve 
  to  better  us  and  worse  our  foes.  --Milton. 
 
  Syn:  To  improve;  meliorate;  ameliorate;  mend;  amend;  correct; 
  emend;  reform;  advance;  promote. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Better  \Bet"ter\,  n. 
  1.  Advantage,  superiority,  or  victory;  --  usually  with  of 
  as  to  get  the  better  of  an  enemy. 
 
  2.  One  who  has  a  claim  to  precedence;  a  superior,  as  in 
  merit,  social  standing,  etc.;  --  usually  in  the  plural. 
 
  Their  betters  would  hardly  be  found  --Hooker. 
 
  {For  the  better},  in  the  way  of  improvement;  so  as  to  produce 
  improvement.  ``If  I  have  altered  him  anywhere  for  the 
  better.''  --Dryden. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Better  \Bet"ter\,  adv.;  compar.  of  {Well}. 
  1.  In  a  superior  or  more  excellent  manner;  with  more  skill 
  and  wisdom,  courage,  virtue,  advantage,  or  success;  as 
  Henry  writes  better  than  John;  veterans  fight  better  than 
  recruits. 
 
  I  could  have  better  spared  a  better  man.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  More  correctly  or  thoroughly. 
 
  The  better  to  understand  the  extent  of  our 
  knowledge.  --Locke. 
 
  3.  In  a  higher  or  greater  degree;  more  as  to  love  one 
  better  than  another. 
 
  Never  was  monarch  better  feared,  and  loved.  --Shak. 
 
  4.  More  in  reference  to  value,  distance,  time,  etc.;  as  ten 
  miles  and  better.  [Colloq.] 
 
  {To  think  better  of}  (any  one),  to  have  a  more  favorable 
  opinion  of  any  one 
 
  {To  think  better  of}  (an  opinion,  resolution,  etc.),  to 
  reconsider  and  alter  one's  decision. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Better  \Bet"ter\,  v.  i. 
  To  become  better;  to  improve.  --Carlyle. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Better  \Bet"ter\,  n. 
  One  who  bets  or  lays  a  wager. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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}.] 
  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 
 
  And  God  saw  everything  that  he  had  made  and  behold, 
  it  was  very  good.  --Gen.  i.  31. 
 
  Good  company,  good  wine,  good  welcome.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  Possessing  moral  excellence  or  virtue;  virtuous;  pious; 
  religious;  --  said  of  persons  or  actions. 
 
  In  all  things  showing  thyself  a  pattern  of  good 
  works  --Tit.  ii  7. 
 
  3.  Kind  benevolent;  humane;  merciful;  gracious;  polite; 
  propitious;  friendly;  well-disposed;  --  often  followed  by 
  to  or  toward,  also  formerly  by  unto. 
 
  The  men  were  very  good  unto  us  --1  Sam.  xxv. 
  15. 
 
  4.  Serviceable;  suited;  adapted;  suitable;  of  use  to  be 
  relied  upon  --  followed  especially  by  for 
 
  All  quality  that  is  good  for  anything  is  founded 
  originally  in  merit.  --Collier. 
 
  5.  Clever;  skillful;  dexterous;  ready;  handy;  --  followed 
  especially  by  at 
 
  He  .  .  .  is  a  good  workman;  a  very  good  tailor. 
  --Shak. 
 
  Those  are  generally  good  at  flattering  who  are  good 
  for  nothing  else.  --South. 
 
  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. 
 
  My  reasons  are  both  good  and  weighty.  --Shak. 
 
  My  meaning  in  saying  he  is  a  good  man  is  .  .  .  that 
  he  is  sufficient  .  .  .  I  think  I  may  take  his  bond. 
  --Shak. 
 
  7.  Real;  actual;  serious;  as  in  the  phrases  in  good  earnest; 
  in  good  sooth. 
 
  Love  no  man  in  good  earnest.  --Shak. 
 
  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 
 
  9.  Not  lacking  or  deficient;  full;  complete. 
 
  Good  measure,  pressed  down  and  shaken  together,  and 
  running  over  --Luke  vi  38. 
 
  10.  Not  blemished  or  impeached;  fair;  honorable;  unsullied; 
  as  in  the  phrases  a  good  name  a  good  report,  good 
  repute,  etc 
 
  A  good  name  is  better  than  precious  ointment. 
  --Eccl.  vii. 
  1. 
 
  {As  good  as}.  See  under  {As}. 
 
  {For  good},  or  {For  good  and  all},  completely  and  finally; 
  fully;  truly. 
 
  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. 
 
  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. 
 
  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  nature},  or  {Good-nature},  habitual  kindness  or 
  mildness  of  temper  or  disposition;  amiability;  state  of 
  being  in  good  humor. 
 
  The  good  nature  and  generosity  which  belonged  to  his 
  character.  --Macaulay. 
 
  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. 
 
  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. 
 
  Each  word  made  good  and  true.  --Shak. 
 
  Of  no  power  to  make  his  wishes  good.  --Shak. 
 
  I  .  .  .  would  by  combat  make  her  good.  --Shak. 
 
  Convenient  numbers  to  make  good  the  city.  --Shak. 
 
  {To  think  good},  to  approve;  to  be  pleased  or  satisfied  with 
  to  consider  expedient  or  proper. 
 
  If  ye  think  good,  give  me  my  price;  and  if  not 
  forbear.  --Zech.  xi 
  12. 
 
  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 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  better 
  adj  1:  (comparative  of  `good')  superior  to  another  (of  the  same 
  class  or  set  or  kind)  in  excellence  or  quality  or 
  desirability  or  suitability;  more  highly  skilled  than 
  another;  "You're  a  better  man  than  I  am  Gunga  Din"; 
  "a  better  coat";  "a  better  type  of  car";  "a  suit  with 
  a  better  fit";  "a  better  chance  of  success";  "produced 
  a  better  mousetrap";  "she's  better  in  math  than  in 
  history"  [ant:  {worse}] 
  2:  (comparative  of  `good')  changed  for  the  better  in  health  or 
  fitness;  "her  health  is  better  now";  "I  feel  better"  [ant: 
  {worse}] 
  3:  (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)}] 
  4:  more  than  half;  "argued  for  the  better  part  of  an  hour" 
  n  1:  one  having  claim  to  precedence;  a  superior:  "the  common  man 
  has  been  kept  in  his  place  by  his  betters" 
  2:  something  better:  "I  expected  better  of  him" 
  3:  someone  who  bets  [syn:  {bettor},  {wagerer},  {punter}] 
  4:  the  superior  one  of  two  alternatives:  "chose  the  better  of 
  the  two" 
  adv  1:  comparative  of  `well';  in  a  better  or  more  excellent  manner 
  or  more  advantageously  or  attractively  or  to  a  greater 
  degree  etc.;  "She  had  never  sung  better";  "a  deed 
  better  left  undone";  "better  suited  to  the  job" 
  2:  from  a  position  of  superiority  or  authority;  "father  knows 
  best";  "I  know  better."  [syn:  {best}] 
  v  1:  surpass  in  excellence;  "She  bettered  her  own  record";  "break 
  a  record"  [syn:  {break}] 
  2:  to  make  better  in  quality  or  more  valuable;  "The  editor 
  improved  the  manuscript  with  his  changes."  [syn:  {improve}, 
  {amend},  {ameliorate},  {meliorate}]  [ant:  {worsen}] 
  3:  get  better;  "The  weather  improved  toward  evening."  [syn:  {improve}, 
  {ameliorate},  {meliorate}]  [ant:  {worsen}] 




more about better