| 释义 |
betterness|ˈbɛtənɪs|
Also 5 bettirnes.
[f. better a. + -ness.]
1. The quality of being better, having more good qualities, or excelling; superiority.
a1300E.E. Psalter li[i]. 5 Þou loved ivelnes ovre betternes. 1492Act. Dom. Conc. 247–8 (Jam.) The bettirnes of the said tercis [of land]. 1580Sidney Arcad. 407 Your vnmatched betternesse. 1607Hieron Wks. I. 305 There is no betternesse or precedence of one place aboue another for the administration of holy things. 1611Chapman Iliad ii. Comm. (1857) 56. 1856 Ruskin Mod. Paint. III. iv. x. §4 An infinity of Betterness above other human effort.
b. spec. Fineness of the precious metals beyond the standard.
c1530in Gutch Coll. Cur. II. 287, Item for the betternes of the golde that went to the same Rings—iiijs. 1820G. Carey Funds 99 If gold or silver be finer than standard, the difference is termed betterness by the trade.
2. Improvement, amendment, betterment. dial.
1864Atkinson Whitby Gloss. s.v. Betterness..As for my ailment I find no betterness in it. |