Bestn.2
/bɛst/, U.S. /bɛst/ Histology.
In the genitive and attributive. Designating a histological staining technique based on carmine or carminic acid, used esp. to demonstrate the presence of glycogen in cells and tissues.
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1908 Jrnl. Pathol. & Bacteriol. 12 439 The presence of glycogen was sought for by Best's carmine method controlled by various iodine methods.
1921 A. B. Lee Microtomist's Vade-Mecum (ed. 8) xxvi. 295 The glycogen is dissolved..and the slide stained as usual for Best's carmine.
1973 Amer. Jrnl. Med. 54 90/2 An opaque eosinophilic material within the cytoplasm..reacted strongly with Best carmine and periodic acid-Schiff stains.
2008 J. D. Bancroft & M. Gamble Theory & Pract. Histol. Techniques (ed. 6) viii. 106/1 Even initially uncharged tissue substrates can acquire ionic character after binding ionic reagents, e.g. glycogen staining..with Best's carmine.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
bestadj.n.1adv.
/bɛst/, U.S. /bɛst/ A. adj. The superlative of good adj.
1.
a. Of the highest excellence; surpassing all others in quality.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adjective]
highestOE
bestOE
firstlOE
greatest?c1225
of the besta1350
premiera1500
paramount1530
supremec1550
supreme1571
primer1589
top1647
nulli secundus1742
bestest1751
first class1819
beatemest1831
par excellence1839
première1844
first rate1853
beatenest1860
blue ribbon1860
optimum1885
optimal1890
class A1906
all-star1908
grade A1911
five-star1931
mostest1936
tip-topmost1937
the end1950
the most1953
OE Beowulf (2008) 453 Onsend Higelace, gif mec hild nime, beaduscruda betst..; þæt is Hrædlan laf, Welandes geweorc.
OE Blickling Homilies 57 Ne þæt to nahte nyt ne biþ þæt man godne mete ete oþþe þæt betste win on gebeorscipe drince.
lOE Prose Dialogue of Solomon & Saturn I (1982) xxviii. 29 Saga me hwilc wyrt ys betst and selust; ic þe secge, lilige hatte seo wyrt for þon þe heo getacnað Crist.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8173 All wass itt off þe bettste pall. Þatt aniȝ mann maȝȝ aȝhenn.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 7631 Edgar aþeling Þat best kunde in engelond adde to be king.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ix. xxvi. 541 In þe Satirday men were arayed..wiþ here beste cloþis.
1428 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 82 (MED) I woll þat my best candelsteke y-gylt with þe cros be sold.
a1475 (a1447) O. Bokenham Mappula Angliae in Englische Studien (1887) 10 8 Þis Ile hathe the best geet, wherof..if þou aske þe beawte, hit is blakkere þane any gemme.
a1500 (?a1400) Tale King Edward & Shepherd (Cambr.) (1930) l. 1066 (MED) I wolde not elli..Nouȝt for my best gold ryng!
1552 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16279) Administr. Lordes Supper sig. O.i The beste and pureste wheate bread, that conueniently maye be gotten.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 521 As for Arsenicke..that which is best of this kind, resembleth burnished gold in colour.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 179 The Pearch..and the Pike are..the best of fresh water fish. View more context for this quotation
1706 M. Prior Ode to Queen Pref. Upon the Supposition of these Facts, Virgil wrote the best Poem that the World ever read.
1711 C. Lockyer Acct. Trade India 128 Soy comes in Tubbs from Jappan, and the best Ketchup from Tonquin; yet good of both sorts are made and sold very cheap in China.
a1770 J. Jortin Serm. (1772) VII. i. 13 Acting according to their best judgement.
a1843 R. Southey Doctor (1847) VI. 352 Best..in the shopkeeper's vocabulary..is at the bottom of his scale of superlatives.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 172 The best years of his life.
1880 W. H. Husk in G. Grove Dict. Music I. 82 An association for..printing the best music..called the Royal Harmonic Institution.
1926 A. J. Macself Fruit Garden vii. 98 Laxton's Superb.—One of the best of early Pears, ripening in August.
1958 P. Gammond Decca Bk. Jazz xxi. 265 Ellington distinguished himself with two of the best Afro-jazz numbers of his career.
1997 Food & Wine Sept. 22/2 I wanted to..do everyday food using the best ingredients it's possible to get.
2011 New Yorker 12 Sept. 28/2 Most of whom, when asked to name their desert-island book, said ‘Harry Potter’ and then good-naturedly debated among themselves which volume was best.
b. Of a room in a dwelling: furnished especially well and hence reserved for special occasions, entertaining guests, etc. Frequently in best room. Also: designating a household article of superior quality, used similarly.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > room by type of use > [adjective] > other spec.
best1663
good1809
social1861
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > room by type of use > [noun] > best room
chamber1644
front room1679
best room1719
fore-room1728
spence1786
parlour1825
speak-a-word room1825
1663 in F. W. Steer Farm & Cottage Inventories Mid-Essex (1950) 98 More in the best chamber..one Glasse Case, two lookinge Glasses.
1668 S. Pepys Diary 24 Aug. (1976) IX. 287 My wife is upon hanging the long chamber..with the sad stuff that was in the best chamber.
1691 R. Baxter Certainty Worlds of Spirits iv. 86 Once they found their best Linnen taken out, the Table covered with it, Napkins, as if they had been used, yea and Liquor in their Cups, as if Company had been there at Meat.
1719 S. Sewall Diary 30 Oct. (1973) II. 933 Had a very good Dinner..in the best room.
1788 Brit. Mercury 4 Feb. 175 I advise ye also to be very careful to use the best china at dinner, and the best glasses after it.
1800 J. Austen Let. 8 Nov. (1995) 55 The little Table..has most conveniently taken itself off into the best bed-room.
1849 H. Martineau Househ. Educ. xxv. 200 When visitors come, why should not the girls have the chief pleasure which ‘company’ gives to them,—the making the custard and the tarts, dishing up the fruit, and bringing out the best table linen?
1911 M. Beerbohm Zuleika Dobson ii. 7 The sun streamed through the bay-window of a ‘best’ bedroom in the Warden's house.
1949 F. Towers Tea with Mr. Rochester (1952) 20 The old gentleman had been treated to his wife's best china and the silver muffin-dish.
1999 M. Syal Life isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee (2000) v. 193 Chila found herself sitting in her mother's Best Room.., surrounded by chattering women and clinking tea cups and plates.
c. Metallurgy. With reduplication: denoting successively better grades of wrought iron.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > iron > [adjective] > types of wrought iron
best1822
bundled1831
reedy1847
1822 4th Rep. Commissioners Revenue Ireland 316 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 634) XIII. 1295 We use the best iron from Staffordshire, that comes from the three qualities; they have best, and best best, and best best best.
1859 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 4 Nov. 762/2 The sheathing should all be of best best, or double-worked quality.
1888 Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. 31 The ‘best’ plates of the first-class houses are, however, equal to the ‘best, best’ and ‘treble best’ of other firms.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 67/1 B. and B.B., brand-marks signifying Best and Best Best, placed on wrought-iron to indicate the maker's opinion of its quality.
2004 Mariner's Mirror 90 461/1 The four recognized grades of wrought iron—Merchant Quality, Best, Best Best or BB, and BBB..—are not all represented.
2. Of a person.
a. Surpassing all others in respect of physical, mental, or moral qualities, or in a particular sphere or activity; most worthy or able.
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eOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Parker) anno 891 Swifneh, se betsta lareow þe on Scottum wæs, gefor.
eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) vi. xxx. 148 Þa gesealde Galerius Lucinuse Italiam & Affricam, & he het ealle þa cristnan þe þær betst [read betste; OE Tiber. beste] wæron gebringan on elþeode.
OE Crist III 1011 Hine ymbutan æþelduguð betast, halge herefeðan, hlutre blicað, eadig engla gedryht.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 246 Þet is þe beste mon of þis world.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15237 (MED) Cadwalan him to cleopede his bezste [c1300 Otho beste] cnihtes alle.
c1300 St. Edmund Rich (Laud) l. 325 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 440 (MED) Þe beste prechur he was i-holde þat man ouȝware under-stod.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 12619 Þe beste maistris of þat toun.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 37 Ye have macched thys day with the beste fyghters of the worlde.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 2651 Beste of bone and blood.
1562 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 289 I am as honest as the beste of you all.
1601 R. Chester Loves Martyr 165 The best and chiefest of our moderne writers.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. ii. 21 Of many good, I thinke him best . View more context for this quotation
1638 W. Berkeley Lost Lady iv. 36 My best, best Lysicles, I am againe in love.
1693 W. Payne Pract. Disc. Repent. i. 18 Some..failures and imperfections will stick to the best of Men.
1745 J. Swift Tom Mullinex & Dick in Misc. X. 225 Dick could neatly dance a Jig, But Tom was best at Borees.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. ix. vi. 359 I will fight the best Man of you all for twenty Pound. View more context for this quotation
1767 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy IX. xxx. 127 Best of honest and gallant servants!—But I have apostrophiz'd thee, Trim! once before.
1837 R. Southey Lives Brit. Admirals IV. 49 The three best sailers of the fleet were appointed to run a-head.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 62 Henry VIII..was the best rider, the best lance, and the best archer in England.
1906 Cricket 29 Nov. 450/1 He and Raynor..were two of the best boy bowlers I have seen.
1951 Changing Times Apr. 31/1 Everything considered, she is probably the best woman you could have married.
2008 J. Cochran Educ. Roots Polit. Crisis Egypt x. 145 Some slaves..could match the best of men in philosophic discourse.
b. Of the highest rank or social standing. Also: belonging to or characteristic of those of the highest rank or social standing.Quot. lOE2 is a late copy of a 7th-cent. legal code.
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OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.iv) anno 1066 Þær him com ongean Ealdred arcebiscop,..& Morkere eorl, & ealle þa betstan men of Lundene, & bugon þa for neode.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Domitian A.ix) anno 1036 Godwine eorl & ealle ða betstan men [L. omnes optimates] on Westsexan wiðcwædon.
lOE Laws of Æðelberht (Rochester) lxxv. 7 Mund þare betstan widuwan eorlcundre l scillinga gebete.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. v. 1 Balthasar, kyng, made a grete fest to his best men a thousand [L. optimatibus suis mille].
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 73 Þay wenten to sete, þe best burne ay abof.
?1575 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. (new ed.) 81 You..slewe the best people of the house of Fraunce.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 138 There is one, which..will drawe all English surnames of the best families out of the pitte of Poetrie, as Bourchier from Busyris the tyrant of Aegypt; Percy from flying Perseus.
1658 J. Evelyn tr. N. de Bonnefons French Gardiner 182 Eaten in Lent in Pease-Pottage, and Intermesses at the best Tables.
1701 C. Wooley Two Years Jrnl. N.-Y. 88 If the case be so, the minors and infantry of the best Families might wish they had been born in Kent.
1770 B. Nicoll Wonderful Dream 2/1 For several Years, the Gentlemen of all our best Families have been generally growing Free-Thinkers.
a1832 W. Scott Mem. Early Years in J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Sir W. Scott (1837) I. i. 6 His birth being admitted as gentle, gave him access to the best society in the county.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 267 The best Roman Catholic families in England.
1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 9 Nov. 11 A gentleman who ‘goes regularly into Society’, ‘attends the Premieress's soirées’, and ‘knows all the best people’.
1901 V. Webb One Amer. Girl v. 62 He was tolerated in the best society, as there could be no mistaking his good ancestry.
1960 Guardian 14 July 7/7 A party at a swish place with the best people.
1997 E. White Farewell Symphony (1998) iv. 151 I'd worked for a world-famous firm that employed primarily bluebloods from the best schools.
1999 J. Morton Sex, Crimes & Misdemeanours i. ii. 17 Over the years some of the best families in the land either prosecuted or defended such actions.
3. Most beneficial or advantageous for the object in view; most appropriate, advisable, or desirable.
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the world > action or operation > advantage > [adjective] > most
besteOE
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xxxix. 281 Ða hradan ðonne sint to manianne ðæt hie to unwærlice ne onetten, ðylæs hie forhradien ðone betestan timan [L. bonorum tempus], & hiera mede forðæm forleosen.
OE Beowulf 3007 Me [prob. read Nu] is ofost betost, þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2948 Godd himm sennde hiss enngell. To raþenn himm þe bettste raþ Off–whatt himm wass to donne.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 10381 Þe pope..let someni to rome..grete clerkes to loki wat were best to do.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iii. 504 (MED) The beste wordes wolde I pike..And so wolde my wordes plie, That mihten Wraththe and Cheste avale.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 5287 He þat til his in nede es beste.
1472 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 450 I am in a greet angonye howe js best fore me to sywe to hym fore rehauyng off my place.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cv. 126 It was thought nat beste to employ his people then.
1569 J. Rogers Glasse Godly Love 187 [He] knoweth what is beste for you.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iv. 5 In best time We will require her welcome. View more context for this quotation
1692 C. Gildon Post-boy rob'd of his Mail I. lxxxvi. 242 The medly of Mankind..is endless; and the Dance in the Rehearsal gives the best Idea of it of any thing I've seen.
1716 London Gaz. No. 5445/3 To be sold to the best Purchaser.
1793 J. Moir Hospitality 6 The final destiny of rich and poor..is disclosed as the best solution of our doubts.
1840 Monthly Chron. Dec. 493 The man who is in advance of his age is rarely the best man to teach his contemporaries.
1879 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. (new ed.) iii. §28. 157 The best way to obtain a knowledge of the various constellations.
1942 E. H. Huntington Doors to Jobs v. 177 Every effort was being made to pick the best man for the job.
1977 J. Lees-Milne Diary 2 Nov. in Through Wood & Dale (2001) 209 He asked me why the Somersets no longer invited them to stay. I thought it best to feign ignorance.
2005 Independent 29 Sept. 30/3 What is the best way to intervene?
4. In predicative use. In idiomatic constructions expressing what would be most appropriate, advisable, or desirable for a specified person to do. Cf. better adj. 4.
a. † (a) With an impersonal copular verb (is, was, were (subjunctive), etc.), a noun or personal pronoun in the objective case (originally the dative), and (frequently) the infinitive; e.g. him were best (to) go. Obsolete.
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OE Wulfstan Institutes of Polity: Be sacerdan (Corpus Cambr. 201) 259 Nu lære we georne manna gehwilcne, þæt he..oft and gelome smeage swiðe georne, hwæt him sy betst to donne and hwæt to forganne.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2904 Iosæp wass..ummbeþohhte. Off whatt himm wære bettst to don.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 261 (MED) Brutus nom to reade þat him best was.
c1330 Lai le Freine in Smith Coll. Stud. Mod. Langs. (1929) 10 iii. 4 Ȝete me is best take mi chaunce.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 5331 What thing him were best to do.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3450 (MED) At pray to godd ai was sco prest, To rede hir quat þat hir was best.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 401 (MED) Bot ȝe me deme sone Quat me is beste of þis case.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 679 He beþynkyth hym boþe euyn and morow Where hym were beste to borowe.
(b) As complement of to be (esp. in the subjunctive mood) with a personal pronoun or noun as subject and (usually) the infinitive; e.g. he were best (to) go. Now somewhat literary.
ΚΠ
1485 Croniclis of Englonde (St. Albans) ix. sig. xiiijv He wyst not what he wos beste to done.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 399 Sche wyste not whedurwarde..sche was beste to goon.
1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Aiii v Doubtfull in her mynde what she were best to do.
1584 J. Lyly Alexander, Campaspe, & Diogenes iv. i. sig. D3v He were best be as cunning as a Bee.
1597 J. Lyly Woman in Moone iii. ii. 185 Sirra, provide the banquet, you are best.
1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares ii. sig. B4 Y'are best take you to your stand.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. ii. 77 Madam, you're best consider. View more context for this quotation
1697 S. Nye Agreem. Unitarians Catholick Church 48/1 He were best to consider the Computations of the Bishop of Salisbury, to the contrary.
1700 Moxon's Mech. Exercises: Bricklayers-wks. 38 You were best to mark the lower Closier in each Course.
1783 F. C. Waldron Contin. B. Jonson's Sad Shepherd iii. 63 Haste! ye were best Wi' a' yer might, to do yer mother's hest.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. ix. 159 Amy hastily endeavoured to recal [sic] what she were best to say, which might secure herself from the imminent dangers which surrounded her, without endangering her husband.
1895 New Eng. Mag. May 320/1 You were best to wear your cloak. I will fetch it.
1906 P. MacKaye Jeanne d'Arc ii. 54 I do not trust him.—You Were best to interrupt their tête-à-tête.
1923 J. M. Murry Pencillings 185 That is the critic's private concern..and he were best to keep it to himself.
2005 Brit. Jrnl. Hist. Sci. 38 165 Unbelievers did not dominate plebeian London, and Muggletonians knew they were best to avoid contact with such people.
b. As complement of had with a personal pronoun or noun as subject and bare infinitive; e.g. he had best go. See have v. 47a.
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1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 61 You had best omit the worke.
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. D3v Stand aside you had best.
1639 P. Massinger Unnaturall Combat v. ii. sig. K4v Thou hadst best follow her.
1710 J. Addison Tatler No. 221. ⁋2 Whether I had best sell my Beetles in a Lump.
1776 J. Home Let. 14 Oct. in A. Smith Corr. (1977) clxxvi. 215 I believe it had best be published as it is.
1781 D. Garrick in R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (new ed.) Prol. A certain Lord had best beware.
1808 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) II. 52 The ‘Monthly’ must needs be sore, and had best be civil.
1877 W. H. Mallock New Republic (1878) 145 I had best not give her any.
1915 A. Conan Doyle Valley of Fear i. iii. 47 We'd best put it back on the rug where we found it.
1949 Pop. Photogr. Nov. 69/2 Unless he is subsidized, he best had expect to be his own carpenter and electrician, too.
1958 Archit. Rev. 124 1/2 Snap judgments on the publications of the Situationist International had best be restrained until the documents have been frisked for hidden persuaders.
1992 D. Glazer Last Oasis 11 ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I suppose we'd best be getting back.’
5. That is the largest or greatest; most. Chiefly in the best part of: almost all of, most of. Cf. better adj. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a great part or proportion > the greater part, the majority
the more partOE
the best part ofOE
(the) more parta1350
(the) most parta1350
(the) most part alla1350
(the) most party1372
for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387
the better part ofa1393
the mo?a1400
most forcea1400
substancea1413
corsec1420
generalty?c1430
the greater partc1430
three quartersc1470
generalityc1485
the most feck1488
corpse1533
most1553
nine-tenths?1556
better half1566
generality?1570
pluralityc1570
body1574
the great body (of)1588
flush1592
three fourths1600
best1601
heap1609
gross1625
lump1709
bulk1711
majority1714
nineteen in twenty1730
balance1747
sweighta1800
heft1816
chief1841
the force1842
thick end1847
OE Homily: Sermo ad Populum Dominicis Diebus (Lamb. 489) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 297 Ungecyndelic fyr cymð færunga on eowre burga and on tunas and forbærnð þone betstan dæl, þe ge big sceoldon libban.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 3801 (MED) Ech noblemon vawe was mid him uor to wende, & þe beste party of france to him al so he drou.
c1450 (?a1400) Duke Rowland & Sir Otuell (1880) l. 180 (MED) And any of ȝow duspers stirre þare, þe beste party schall dy.
c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian l. 919 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 330 Þe best part of þaim ves slane.
1538 J. Husee Let. 10 Feb. in Lisle Papers (P.R.O.: SP 3/11/49) f. 63 xx nobles, wherof I thincke he dothe own the best part ffor his rent.
a1567 T. Becon Actes Christe & Antichriste (1577) sig. H.viiv Antichriste..tooke awaie, the beste portion of the Tithes from the true owners.
1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. ii. x. 260 Fiery foam,..which cover'd the best part of it's natural Azure.
1712 Boston News-let. 25 Mar. 2/1 Capt. Hastings and his men..fought him the best part of an hour, before he routed them.
1742 J. Smith Let. 25 Mar. in T. Secker Corr. (1991) 72 I was oblig'd to be in Town the best Part of the Week abt. Business.
1834 W. Beckford Italy; with Sketches Spain & Portugal II. 265 I..rode the best part of the way.
1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile xii. 318 The best part of three days.
1909 Secret Service 9 Apr. 28/1 The best portion of the year gone, and we have done the best business of any year yet.
1972 J. Johnston Captains & Kings 8 It was the best part of a mile to the gates of Kill House and the two men were sweating by the time they arrived.
2004 R. Askwith Feet in Clouds xvii.146 He stayed at the top for the best part of a decade.
6. Designating an effort, action, etc., which surpasses all others in commitment or dedication; that involves the most work, or one's highest level of application. Cf. to do (also try) one's best at sense B. 4, to give something one's best shot at Phrases 1f.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [adjective] > exerted to the full
best?1534
extent1664
?1534 tr. Dialoge Julius sig. e.iv Say on, I wyl do my best endeuour [to understand].
1641 Let. in Impartial Acct. Trial Earl of Strafford (1679) 44 Here you..must of necessity concentricate..your best resolution.
1693 J. Smalridge tr. Cæsar in J. Dryden tr. Plutarch Lives (rev. ed.) IV. 463 At last, with great difficulty, and the best efforts he could make, he forced back the Enemy.
1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband ii. i. 27 But howsomdever, we'st ta' the best care we can.
a1739 C. Jarvis tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1742) II. i. xiv. 69 At his best speed, which was a middling trot, he advanced to encounter his enemy.
1843 W. M. Thackeray Irish Sketch-bk. II. xii. 210 The car-boy..drove off at his best pace.
1851 J. B. Lamar et al. Polly Peablossom's Wedding & Other Tales 111 I saw comin' my gray mule, puttin' in her best licks, and a few yards behind her was a grizzly.
1972 Boys' Life July 32/3 Even though he gave it his best try, he couldn't pass the swimmer's test.
2000 K. Atkinson Emotionally Weird (2001) 107 Despite my best efforts the flat remained a filthy place.
7. Most kind or beneficent to another.
ΚΠ
1620 N. Rogers True Convert 51 When God is best to them, then they are worst to him, they are neuer more readie to rebell, then when God multiplieth his mercies vpon them.
1643 N. Lockyer Baulme for Bleeding Eng. & Irel. 257 Truth is best at giving every one their owne; 'tis her greatest paine, that shee can doe it least, to him that is best to her.
a1835 J. Hogg Contrib. Ann. & Gift-bks. (2006) 235 I have always concieved that the rich and genteel people were the good people, because my Maker I saw was best to them, and gave them good houses, and good meat, and fine things.
a1893 J. Morris Notes Spiritual Retreats (1894) 82 Just when God has been best to us, then we are most liable to fall.
1922 R. Macdonald Laughing Elf iv. 31 I would begin by obeying the man who has been best to me.
1999 L. Freedman Father of Iditarod iv. 44 Ray got mean to everyone who was best to him.
B. n.1† 10. U.S. slang. = best girl n. at Compounds 2a. Obsolete. rare.
1. With the and plural agreement. The best people; those people who are most worthy, excellent, or virtuous. Also with singular agreement: †a most worthy or excellent person (obsolete). See also Phrases 3f(b).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best person > collectively
besteOE
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xviii. 135 Ðeah hie gan on ðone ruman weg hiera agnes willan & lustfulnesse, hie wilniað ðæt hie mon hæbbe for ða betstan & ða halgestan.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1091 Ðas forewarde gesworan xii þa betste of þes cynges healfe and xii of þes eorles.
c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) 635 Þe beste ha [sc. Pride] asaileð & wel ha der hopien to beo kempe ouer mon, þe ouercom engel.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 355 Brutus þe wes cniht mid þane beste.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 1081 The king aþelwald me dide swere..Þat y shude his douthe[r] yeue Þe hexte þat mithe liue, Þe beste, þe fairest, þe strangest ok.
a1325 St. Brendan (Corpus Cambr.) 385 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 193 Ȝe aȝte..oure Louerd Crist honuri mid þe beste.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 279 ‘Iwyse,’ quod I, ‘my blysfol beste.’
c1450 (?a1400) Parl. Thre Ages (BL Add. 31042) l. 581 (MED) Now hafe I neuened ȝow the names of ix..of þe beste Þat euer were in this werlde wiste appon erthe.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxiv. 311 In all this warld..Is none so doughty as I, the best, Doughtely dyntand on mule and on stede.
1577 T. Kendall Trifles f. 23, in tr. Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes The Best are hated of the Bad.
1614 E. Parr Grounds Diuinitie 164 The best are imperfect, and that which is imperfect is cursed by the Law.
1700 C. Ness Divine Legacy All Mankind vi. 250 Tho' he die of the Plague, (for the best are not exempted from common Calamities).
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. i. 17 Observe how seldom ev'n the best succeed.
1812 P. B. Shelley Let. 3 Dec. (1964) I. 334 Bigotry is so universally pervading that the best are deeply tainted.
1824 Evangelical Rambler No. 93. 9 You admit that the theatre is one of the haunts of vice; and yet you say that the wisest and the best are always to be found in attendance there.
1919 Eccl. Rev. May 496 Human nature hankers after a change, and even the best are pleased by variety.
1980 Computerworld 8 Sept. 97/1 (advt.) At DTI we hire the best..and keep them.
1995 G. Markus Dustbin of Hist. 85 Perfection has been laid in the heart as a rebuke to all, because not even the best are worthy of it.
2. With the and singular agreement. That which is best; the best option, situation, or circumstance; best things collectively.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best thing or person
highesteOE
bestOE
greatest?c1225
pridec1330
crestc1400
primrosea1450
outrepass1477
A per sea1500
primrose peerless1523
prisec1540
prime1579
surquidry1607
excellency1611
nonsuchc1613
crown jewel1646
top1665
patriarch1700
pièce de résistance1793
number one1825
business1868
resistance piece1870
star1882
mostest1889
koh-i-noor1892
best-ever1905
flagship1933
the end1950
endsville1957
Big Mac1969
mack daddy1993
OE King Ælfred tr. Psalms (Paris) (2001) xv. 6 Þu gedydest þæt we mætan ure land mid rapum, and min hlyt gefeoll ofer þæt betste.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 3 Heo nomen heore claþes and þe beste þet heo hefde.
c1420 in Archaeologia (1887) 50 149 (MED) Hold ȝowre tunge and sey þe best and let ȝowre neyȝbore sitte in rest.
1555 J. Heywood Two Hundred Epigrammes with Thyrde sig. D.viv Prouyde for the worst, the best wyll saue it selfe.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres ii. xxv. sig. H2 We needs must take the seeming best of bad.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. i. 334 The best is, she hath no teeth to bite. View more context for this quotation
1652 W. Jenkyn Expos. Jude: 1st Pt. i. 103 The best is best cheap.
1719 T. Killigrew Chit-chat i. 6 I confess bad is the best.
1800 S. T. Coleridge tr. F. Schiller Piccolomini i. xii. 61 The best is yet to come.
1893 Statist 15 July 61/2 At the time we made the forecast we said that it was the best that we could see, but we did not expect the best to be attained.
1899 Chautauquan Jan. 371/2 As everywhere else, so it is here, the best is the enemy of the good.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 116/1 (advt.) The wise home-maker wants the best and the best is not always the most expensive.
1970 Life 29 May 22 I've saved the best for last, which is to tell you about the new manager.
1997 ‘Q’ in S. Champion Disco Biscuits 260 Only the best is good enough.
3. With possessive adjective. What is most beneficial or advantageous to a person; a person's best interests. Chiefly in for a person's best (cf. for the best at Phrases 3b(a)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [phrase] > what is best for one
for a person's bestc1300
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1178 (MED) Ihc habbe go mani Mile, Wel feor bi ȝonde weste, To seche my beste.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. l. 3141 (MED) My muse..seith it schal be for my beste..That y nomore of love make.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 2456 Þai most nede part to seke þair beste [Fairf. to do þaire best].
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Hengwrt) (2003) §269 I speke it for youre beste.
c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) v. 46 My best was more to loke Upon the writing of this noble man.
a1555 J. Careless in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 625 Reioyce in God.., euer submitting with all meekenesse, your will vnto his, whiche onely is good and woorketh all thinges for your beste.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 225 Ne for all his worst, nor for his best Open the dore at his request.
1605 E. Sandys Relation State of Relig. sig. Z4v I have..also to my best, avoyded that rashnes.
1682 J. Owen Disc. Work Holy Spirit xi. 213 I have nothing to do to Judge or Condemn the Persons or Duties of Men in such Acts of Religious Worship, as they chuse for their best.
1841 Queen Victoria Let. 6 Sept. (1907) I. x. 400 One must be thankful and grateful for these blessings, and take these hard trials as lessons sent from above, for our best.
1842 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. VI. xx. 318 Every one must..attend his best.
1947 R. Schairer in L. Bryson et al. Approaches to Group Understanding vi. 49 We do not hesitate to give ourselves into the hands of a doctor... We trust that he acts for our best.
1999 L. Bregman Beyond Silence & Denial v. 140 Always loves his children, always works for their best, and always forgives them.
4. Usually with possessive: effort which surpasses all others in commitment or dedication, or reaches the highest level of which one is capable; the or one's utmost. Originally and chiefly in to do (also try) one's best: to do one's utmost (to do something); to try as hard as possible.See also one's level best at level adj. 9.In later use one's best is sometimes used adverbially with verbs of performance other than do and try and has the sense ‘as well as possible, as best one can’ (see e.g. quot. 1927).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > do one's utmost
to do (also lay) one's mightc1175
to do, make one's wisec1290
to do (also make) one's powerc1390
to hold (also keep) foot withc1438
to do one's force?c1450
to do or die1487
to do one's endeavour(sc1500
to do the best of one's power1523
to do (also try) one's best1585
to do one's possible1792
to pull out all the stops1927
to bust (also break) one's balls1968
c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 54 Hi turnde tho, And dude here beste aȝe the Prince, ac evereft he was wo.
a1400 (?a1350) Seege Troye (Egerton) (1927) l. 1907 (MED) Whenne ȝe beþ yn, do ȝoure best.
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) i. i. sig. aj And yf he wille not come at your somons, thenne may ye do your best.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. Prol. I laboured and dyd my best to perfourme this boke.
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. vi. 95 When a man hath doone his best, he must then begin againe.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. ii. 151 Do thy best To pluck this crawling serpent, from my brest. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love v. 73 I will do my best to disingage my heart from this furious tender which I have for him.
1738 A. Pope Satires of Horace ii. vi. 173 He did his best to seem to eat.
1775 S. Johnson Let. 20 July (1788) I. cxxx. 281 Poor Ralph! he is gone; and nothing remains but to comfort yourself with having done your best.
1850 Musical World 24 Aug. 538/1 That their best was not better was not their fault, but the will of Above.
1879 Sci. Observer June 65 On the other evenings, the best I could do was to make careful allineations of the comet with the telescopic stars in the field [of view].
1886 Times 20 Nov. 9/3 The young fiddlers and 'cellists do their very best, which is by no means contemptible.
1927 Boys' Life Aug. 20/2 No man can play his best with some outside thing on his mind.
1974 A. Ross Bradford Business 175 ‘I'll try my best, Charlie,’ I said, ‘scout's honour.’
2012 Daily Tel. 3 Sept. 5/2 My best wasn't good enough. I knew I'd blown it.
5.
a. A thing, quality, state, etc., which is best.
ΚΠ
1559 W. Bavand tr. J. Ferrarius Common Weale ii. ii. f. 22v Whether there be but one beste, or many..for wee see bothe the kyndes of gouernementes, to haue good successe.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue sig. B.ii Let not that then same most best, be withheld from vs.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xci. sig. F3v All these I better in one generall best . View more context for this quotation
1664 J. Evelyn Sylva xxvii. 71 It is a very ordinary Copse which will not afford three or four Firsts, that is, Bests; fourteen Seconds; twelve Thirds; [etc.].
a1680 T. Shipman Carolina (1683) 174 None gives better, than who gives his best. As I were studying what this best might be; Intranc'd I fell into an Extasie.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. iii. 362 That unknown Best appointed by divine provision.
1884 Illustr. London News Christmas No. 19/3 For certainly if I have a best I have not put it on.
1888 Times (Weekly ed.) 14 Sept. 19/1 Fruit should be sorted into bests and seconds and in some cases into thirds.
1901 Young Woman's Jrnl. Jan. 41/2 For each of us there is a best in everything,—determined by individual capacity and by the circumstances of the occasion.
1989 Mod. Painters Autumn 78/3 Relentless sceptical questioning of the idea that there is a best in aesthetic matters.
b. Sport. The best score, time, etc., achieved to date by a (particular) competitor in a particular event or series of events; a record. See also personal best n. at personal adj., n., and adv. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > [noun] > that which surpasses others of the same kind
record1860
best1874
high1899
1874 Bell's Life in London 4 Apr. 6/2 The ‘bests on record’ are about evenly divided between the two classes of athletes.
1881 Sportsman's Year-bk. 192 [Cortis] has accomplished bests on record at 10 and 20 miles.
1930 F. A. M. Webster Athletics of To-day for Women vi. 86 Miss M. A. Gunn..ripped through her heat in 142/ 5 secs., thus equalling the world's record and beating Miss Hatt's British best.
1963 G. F. D. Pearson et al. Athletics i. iv. 85 Lord Burghley, who produced a best of 14·5 sec. in 1930.
1963 G. F. D. Pearson et al. Athletics ii. vii. 154 A stupendous new world's best of 63 ft. 1¾ in.
2012 P. Matthews Hist. Dict. Track & Field 62 She won..with a season's best of 12.40, the world's best of the year.
6. With possessive adjective. A person's or thing's best state or condition. Frequently in to look one's best, past one's best. Cf. at one's best at Phrases 3a(b).
ΚΠ
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. O4v A smudge peice of a handsome fellow it hath beene in his dayes, but now he is olde and past his best.
1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical 121 If you dye young, what pity 'twas they'l say, that he should be cut off in his Prime. If Old, he was e'en past his best.
a1715 M. Monck Marinda (1716) 14 The Shepherdess that day was dress'd Artfully plain, and lookt her best.
1829 R. Monteath New & Easy Syst. draining & reclaiming Bogs & Marches Ireland 192 The larch is past its best, and dying, and requires to be taken away.
1858 W. Johnson Ionica 49 Bright gleams the pipe-clay below the red breast, And in slate-coloured trowsers the line look their best.
1952 C. Beaton Diary 4 Nov. in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) xviii. 245 The two Women of the Bedchamber in oyster satin were not looking their best in this cold, unbecoming light of winter.
1968 Times 23 Dec. 6/2 He was not feeling his best and had what scientists felt could be the symptoms of Hongkong influenza.
2006 S. Ings Weight of Numbers 176 But their friendship is past its best, their destinies have come decoupled.
7. The greater part of a period of time; the most part. Cf. sense A. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a great part or proportion > the greater part, the majority
the more partOE
the best part ofOE
(the) more parta1350
(the) most parta1350
(the) most part alla1350
(the) most party1372
for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387
the better part ofa1393
the mo?a1400
most forcea1400
substancea1413
corsec1420
generalty?c1430
the greater partc1430
three quartersc1470
generalityc1485
the most feck1488
corpse1533
most1553
nine-tenths?1556
better half1566
generality?1570
pluralityc1570
body1574
the great body (of)1588
flush1592
three fourths1600
best1601
heap1609
gross1625
lump1709
bulk1711
majority1714
nineteen in twenty1730
balance1747
sweighta1800
heft1816
chief1841
the force1842
thick end1847
1601 S. I. Certaine Godlie & Learned Serm. f. 61v Neyther can wee be likened to the deuill in nothing more, then in the perseuerance of sinne, in spending the best of our time so, and in waxing old therein.
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) ii. iii. 215 The Artillery plaid, the best of an houre, on both sides.
1739 Common Sense II. 308 When a Man has spent the best of his Time in the Dangers and Hardships a Sea Life is always exposed to..the greatest Reward he can hope for is..an Appointment of five or six Hundred Pounds a Year.
1889 T. E. Brown Manx Witch 135 The Pazon kep his word, for he went The very next day to see Nessy, and spent The best of an hour with her there.
1910 F. I. Maule El Dorado ‘29’ 102 Those thirteen tough miles to the summit for most Took the best of a week.
2009 L. Lansens Wife's Tale 9 The cat spent the best of his ten years hiding behind the living-room drapes.
8. The finest aspect or chief merit of a person or thing; that which is best in a person or thing.
ΚΠ
1623 N. Rogers Strange Vineyard 52 If thou doest, it is but the dregs and offall, the very worst of all; and yet we grudge when wee haue not the best from thee.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) vi. 32 If both heav'n and earth should undertake T'extract the best from all Mankinde to make One perfect happy man, and thou wert Hee.
1751 J. Gambold Maxims, Theol. Ideas & Sentences Present Ordinary of Brethren's Churches 86 What a Heart must He have, patiently to fit for seventeen hundred Years with the poor Concerns of Man before him, so many ways perverted and perplex'd as they are, and yet methodize, be an Advocate for, and extract the best out of them!
1858 F. W. Newman Theism 130 Their task is to bring out the best from old principles, And save what is old and good, but to discourage the new.
1865 Illinois Teacher Nov. 337 Always to bring out the best in his pupils is no easy task for the teacher.
1959 I. Compton-Burnett Heritage & its Hist. i. 38 I wish it did not bring out the best in them. The best in people causes me such discomfort.
2012 Atlantic Mar. 58/2 Obama appears to have been unsavvy in the FDR-like arts of getting the best from his immediate team and continuing to attract the best people to him.
9. With possessive adjective. A person's best clothes. See also Sunday best n. at Sunday n. and adv. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > best
best beseen1602
best1708
best bib and tucker1747
war-paint1859
glad rags1902
bezzies1966
1708 J. Hughes tr. B. Le Bovier de Fontenelle Dialogues of Dead i. viii. 33 I went attended with a numerous Train, and trick'd up in all my best.
1790 R. Burns Tam o' Shanter 174 in Poems & Songs (1968) II. 562 It was her best, and she was vauntie.
1797 R. Southey Poems 87 To go to fair, I drest Like a great bumkin in my Sunday's best.
1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd II. v. viii. 185 Mr. Herbert joined me, also in his modest best.
1879 A. Brassey Sunshine & Storm in East i. 10 As it was their Sabbath, they were all in their best.
1910 Everybody's Mag. July 112/1 I was in the parlor in time, though, dressed in my best.
1990 J. Y. Brooks Guests of Emperor i. xxi. 251 They were washed and spruced up and wearing their best.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > one who is loved or a sweetheart > specifically a female sweetheart or girlfriend
lief971
ladya1393
ladyshipa1393
speciala1400
amiec1400
womanc1400
amoreta1425
mistressc1425
paramoura1450
fair ladya1470
girl?a1513
sooterkin1530
Tib1533
she1547
lady-love1568
jug1569
young lady1584
pigeon1592
love-lass1594
lass1596
dowsabel1612
swainling1615
lucky1629
Dulcinea1638
Lindabrides1640
inamorata1651
baby1684
best girl1691
lady friend1733
young woman1822
moll1823
querida1834
sheila1839
bint1855
tart1864
babykins1870
Dona1874
novia1874
fancy-girl1892
girlfriend1892
cliner1895
tootsy1895
dinah1898
best1904
twist and twirl1905
jane1906
kitten1908
patootie1918
meisie1919
bride1924
gf1925
jelly1931
sort1933
a bit (also piece) of homework1945
beast1946
queen1955
momma1964
mi'jita1970
her indoors1979
girlf1991
1904 Democrat (Celina, Ohio) in Daily Chron. 23 Feb. 5/2 Wm. Londen and best were at church Sunday evening.
11. colloquial (originally U.S.). Usually with possessive adjective. A person's best wishes for another. Frequently in to send one's best. Also used formulaically at the end of a letter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > good wishes
best wishes1595
wish1597
prayers1600
welfare1642
best1922
1922 F. S. Fitzgerald Let. Jan. (1964) 332 Zelda sends best.
1953 W. Stevens Let. 28 Jan. (1967) 770 My best to Marianne Moore.
1968 L. L. King Let. 29 July (1999) 132 A card came from Buckley: ‘Dear Larry:..How are you? Best, Bill.’
1969 Rolling Stone 28 June 13 Billy Jean came here tonight, too, and she sends her best.
1988 B. Larbey Month of Sundays ii. 61 Cooper. Give him my best. Mrs. Baker. Yes I will.
2000 S. Vickers Miss Garnet's Angel 31 No ‘love’ in Vera's letter. After nearly forty-five years' acquaintance ‘Best’ was all Vera could manage.
2011 D. Gee Friendship Bread 99 Victor called early this morning to say that things are going well and he sends his best.
12. Originally and chiefly British = best bitter n. at Compounds 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > ale or beer > beer > [noun] > other kinds of beer
spruce beerc1500
March beer1535
Lubecks beer1608
zythum1608
household beer1616
bottle1622
mumc1623
old beer1626
six1631
four1633
maize beer1663
mum beer1667
vinegar beer1677
wrest-beer1689
nog1693
October1705
October beer1707
ship-beer1707
butt beer1730
starting beer1735
butt1743
peterman1767
seamen's beer1795
chang1800
treacle beer1806
stock beer1826
Iceland beer1828
East India pale ale1835
India pale ale1837
faro1847
she-oak1848
Bass1849
bitter beer1850
bock1856
treble X1856
Burton1861
nettle beer1864
honey beer1867
pivo1873
Lambic1889
steam beer1898
barley-beer1901
gueuze1926
Kriek1936
best1938
rough1946
keg1949
IPA1953
busaa1967
mbege1972
microbrew1985
microbeer1986
yeast-beer-
1938 Daily Mirror 23 Feb. 30/1 Fred Stanton, in spite of a half-pint of ‘best’, was unable to infuse the winning spirit into his gang.
1942 M. Brown We sailed in Convoy i. 12 ‘Have a drink?’ ‘A pint of best, please,’ I said.
1989 D. Durham Last Sailorman xvi. 126 They come in here and asks for a pint of best. Well I ain't got no best here, it's all one brew, so if they asks for a pint of best I just charges them thruppence more.
2001 R. Hill Dialogues of Dead (2002) xv. 162 ‘Shouldn't let it bother you, luv,’ said Dalziel. ‘After fifteen pints of best, I sometimes get a bit jaggery meself.’
C. adv. The superlative of well adv.
1. In the best way; most excellently or effectively. Cf. Compounds 1a(a).
ΚΠ
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.iv) anno 1066 He..swor..þæt he wolde þisne þeodscype swa wel haldan swa ænig kyngc ætforan him betst dyde.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1087 Heora ælc ferde to his castele & þone mannoden & metsoden swa hig betst mihton.
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 51 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 108 (MED) Þo bi-þouȝte þat Maiden hire..hov heo miȝte best on take, and ȝwat heo miȝte do.
c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson Three Early Eng. Metrical Romances (1842) 43 He that furst is inne the fild, And best thenne justus thare.
c1475 (?c1400) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 433 (MED) Ensaumple of siche deds exponeþ best Cristis lawe.
1518 A. Clifton Let. in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 224 I knaw no frenchype nor no frende to truste to bot for to cowme vpe my selfe [to London] ye nexte terme & labyre for my selfe ye beste þt I cane.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. N7 But after death the tryall is to come, When best shall bee to them, that liued best.
1615 R. Brathwait Loves Labyrinth 38 in Strappado A Countrie lasse best fits a Countrie swaine.
1673 J. Milton Sonnets xvi, in Poems (new ed.) 59 Who best Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 225 He excused himself the best he could.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 50 He prayeth best who loveth best, All things both great and small.
1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi II. v. vi. 268 The curse worked best in the absence of the execrator.
1843 T. B. Macaulay Ess. (1850) 686 The man who does best what multitudes do well.
1923 H. C. Thompson Veg. Crops xxvii. 454 Okra is a tender plant and grows best in hot weather.
1961 Ebony Feb. 48/2 She was transferred to the advertising department to do what she does best—drawing illustrations for fashion ads.
1995 Interzone Sept. 20/1 When I'm writing best I'm cruising along with a terrific plot and I'm allowing the unconscious to play its part too.
2. To the greatest extent or degree; most fully, most. Cf. Compounds 1a(b).
ΚΠ
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) xvii. 285 Þeah is swiðe mycel nydþearf þæt we us in æghwylce tide beon wið synnum & uncystum gestilde, & þeahhwæðre eallra swiðost & betst us gedafenaþ þæt we clænlice & haliglice lifigen æt Cristes tidum.
lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Bodl.) (2009) I. ii. 244 Þas ungetreowan woruldsælþa..me þa bereafodon ælcere lustbærnesse þa ða ic him æfre betst truwode.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13279 Niȝe þusende þe Arður þider senden, baldere Brutten þe bezst [c1300 Otho best] þat lond cneowen.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. viii. l. 27 Treuþe..Bad hem Bugge Boldely what hem best lykede.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Corpus Cambr. 61) (1895) v. l. 1473 Ther come..A mayde oon of this world the beste ypreysed.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 785 Let Torent her haue, For best worthy ys he.
a1525 Talis Fyve Bestes l. 166 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 132 And scho agane till him hire treuth plicht To luf him best of ony erdly wicht.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. iv. 105 And if he stand in hostage for his saftie, Bid him demaund what pledge will please him best . View more context for this quotation
1602 T. Scott Four Paradoxes sig. A8 He that knowes thee best knowes nought at all.
1620 T. Venner Via Recta iii. 66 They are best agreeable to cholericke bodies.
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) 114 The first and best, and best worthy to bee first.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xxxvi. 256 My brother is valued by those who know him best, not..for this or that single worthiness [etc.].
1786 R. Burns Poems 196 There was ae sang, amang the rest, Aboon them a' it pleas'd me best.
1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. viii. 311 Franked letters were..addressed to those who could best afford to pay the expense of postage.
1862 Ladies' Repository Oct. 619 Those who knew him best, knew that, Moses-like, he was alone with God.
1903 Smart Set 9 58/2 I should have liked to go to a ball—a masque would have suited me best.
1953 L. S. Mitchell Two Lives xviii. 316 I think he loved best his little Greensboro house with its raftered ceiling.
2002 H. Jacobson Who's Sorry Now? (2003) i. v. 116 It is you, Hazel..who understands me best.
3. With a passive verb, preceding the participle. Used to recommend a particular course of action: most appropriately or suitably; in order to have the best outcome.Corresponding to the use of the adjective with infinitive at sense A. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb]
at (the) bestc1275
in the besta1450
best1577
bestest1801
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 108 For conueyances of water, the Alder..and the Pitche tree, are best made in pipes.
1647 C. Culpeper Let. 10 Nov. in 17th-cent. Polit. & Financial Papers (1996) 311 This is best done by proportioninge a mans expences to his presente condition.
1753 J. Bartlet Gentleman's Farriery xliv. 323 Excrescences, such as..grapes, &c. are best removed by the knife.
1775 F. Spilsbury Treat. Method curing Gout (ed. 3) viii. 163 All meats and drinks are but relatively good or bad with respect to circumstances, which are best determined by giving an eye to the temperaments and the causes of the diseases which afflict our patients.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 565 Barley..is best prepared with coak-fuel.
1880 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 38 307 Methylene chloride..is best obtained by cautiously adding hydrochloric acid to a mixture of alcohol, chloroform, and metallic zinc.
1926 Amer. Fern Jrnl. 12 81 Repotting is best done in May or June.
1964 J. Bernstein Analyt. Engine i. 5 I came to think of programming as a black art, best left to the professionals.
2002 Trav. Afr. Winter 40/1 These trails are best avoided during the rains.
Phrases
P1. Phrases with a verb.
a. as best one can (also may) and variants: in the best way that one can, as effectively as possible under the circumstances.
ΚΠ
OE Recipe (Wellcome 75.46) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1890) 84 325 Cnocian, swa man betst mæge, & wringan þonne þa wyrta.
lOE Distichs of Cato (Trin. Cambr.) xxx, in Anglia (1972) 90 9 Ne sec ðu no þurh lietas hu þe gewurðan scyle, ac do swa ðu betst mæge.
a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily De Duodecim Abusivis (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 119 We sculen ȝefullan swa we best muȝen [OE Corpus Cambr. 178 swa we fyrmost magon] þes helendes biboda.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Prioress's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 8 Wher fore in laude, as I best kan or may..To telle a storie, I wol do my labour.
1480 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1869) I. 37 The said merchand sall sell his corne to fremen as best he may.
1565 B. Googe tr. ‘M. Palingenius’ Zodiake of Life (new ed.) vii. sig. Yvv Perchaunce..The liuely spirite enclosde..doth wrye as best it may, And striuing long through passage smal doth get at length away.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 55 I haue thrust my selfe into this maze, Happily to wiue and thriue, as best I may. View more context for this quotation
1739 D. Crawfurd Unfortunate Dutchess 48 I stifled my Grief as best I could.
1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 103 Let him up-speik as best he may.
1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 1 Feb. 4/2 A sympathetic ‘cock fowl’ singing as best he can.
1950 ‘C. S. Forester’ Mr. Midshipman Hornblower 7 He was sheltering as best he could in the lee of the mizzen-mast bitts.
2007 A. Shreve Body Surfing 108 Sydney explains to Julie as best she can the concept of an oil painting.
b. †to have the best: to have the advantage or upper hand in a contest or encounter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery, superiority, or advantage [verb (intransitive)]
risec1175
to have the higher handa1225
to have the besta1393
bettera1400
vaila1400
to win or achieve a checka1400
surmount1400
prevaila1425
to have (also get) the better handa1470
to go away with it1489
to have the besta1500
to have (also get, etc.) the better (or worse) end of the staff1542
to have ita1616
to have (also get) the laugh on one's side1672
top1718
beat1744
to get (also have) the right end of the stick1817
to have the best of1846
to go one better1856
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 4773 (MED) Ther began a strif, For Arrons seith he hath the beste; So jangle thei withoute reste.
c1415 (c1395) G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale (Lansd.) (1872) Prol. l. 404 Att þe ende .I. had þe beste in yche degre.
1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes f. 33v A sore battayle had bene foughten..betwixt hys monkes and the monkes of clement thorpe. But..hys monkes had the best.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) v. iii. 20 We hauing now the best at Barnet field. View more context for this quotation
c.
(a) to turn the best side outward(s) and variants: to make the best appearance possible; to show a person or thing to best advantage. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1574 J. Whitgift Def. Aunswere to Admon. 252 You throughout your whole booke make this a maruellous good estate, and alwayes turne the best side outwarde.
1610 R. Harris Absaloms Funerall 6 When embassadors came [sic] to visite him, he carries them from place to place, and sets the best side outward.
1663 S. Pepys Diary 9 Nov. (1971) IV. 375 A conceited man and one that would put the best side outward.
1729 J. Morgan Compl. Hist. Algiers II. xx. 649 Sir Robert Mansel's Letter..(wherein he apparently endeavours to put the best Side outwards).
1755 Hist. Will Ramble I. i. vii. 50 He was very poor, although he always endeavoured to put the best Side outwards.
1871 E. Thorp Visit to Old House in Country 70 She made the best of it—turned the best side outwards, so to speak.
1883 G. W. Godfrey Unspotted from World II. ii. 44 Everything turns its best side outwards, and the other side is an unsavoury and unsightly one.
1904 Acad. & Lit. 19 Nov. 481/1 The author has..a refreshing power of turning everybody's best side outwards.
(b)
(i) to put (also set) one's best foot (also leg) forward and variants: to embark on an undertaking with as much effort and determination as possible; to make the most effective use of one's abilities.
ΚΠ
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. D.iij The onely sounde of trumpe & drumme..inforced him to sette the best legge forewarde.
1595 T. Churchyard Musicall Consort: Churchyards Charitie 13 Presumpshon then, doth set best foote before.
?1656 R. Flecknoe Relation Ten Years Trav. xl. 131 The Country people..put on their best Mine to entertain her, and the Dauncers set the best foot forwards to shew their Agilities.
1739 D. Bellamy Perjur'd Devotee v. 72 in Dramatic Pieces Egad I find I must set the best Leg foremost, and be valiant.
1797 J. Robison Let. 3 Feb. in E. Robinson & D. McKie Partners in Sci. (1970) 266 You see I am playing the tradesman, and putting the best foot foremost.
1840 R. H. Barham Lay St. Odille in Ingoldsby Legends 1st Ser. 252 She set off and ran; Put her best leg before.
1882 Tinsley's Mag. Oct. 318/2 We are apt rather..to dream..those trips and excursions..than actually to put our best leg forward and step out across the turf and the heather.
1934 P. Lynch Turf-cutter's Donkey xii. 86 ‘Put your best foot foremost,’ he told Eileen, and strode away from the camp.
1952 C. Beaton Diary in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) xviii. 239 Everyone was a bit too intent on putting their best foot forward.
2003 C. Birch Turn again Home ix. 122 Kitty punched her in the arm. ‘Come on, kid,’ she said, ‘best foot forward.’
(ii) to put one's best foot (also leg) first and variants: to embark on an undertaking with as much effort and determination as possible; to start with one's best effort or resource.
ΚΠ
1783 J. O'Keeffe Castle of Andalusia i. iii. 19 I wish I may die, if I was to be serv'd so—if I wou'd not put my best foot first, and go to Madrid, and tell the King of it.
1789 World 20 Apr. To do the Party justice, they have been putting the best leg first.
1847 Ainsworth's Mag. 11 360 Ain't you going to get into the academy this time, Launcy? Push hard you know, my boy,—best leg first.
1882 Brit. Q. Rev. July 204 Though..the discussion of the general principles of taste and beauty seems in place, nevertheless, he has hardly, we think, put his best foot first.
1907 W. I. Thomas Sex & Society 234 With no capital but her personal charms and her wits, and with the possibility of realizing on these only through a successful appeal to man, woman naturally puts her best foot first.
1934 Pennsylvania Hist. 1 84 Each state vied with the others in putting forth the best foot first in a wild attempt to demonstrate that its scenery was more magnificent, [etc.].
2006 This is Wilts. (Nexis) 16 Sept. I am putting my best foot first, and I am confident I can make this work.
d. to give of one's best: to employ one's best efforts; to show the full extent of one's talents or capabilities; to give one's all.
ΚΠ
1849 Ecclesiologist Oct. 111 Lamenting the general absence of a true sense of the duty of giving of our best to God's service.
1896 Birmingham Weekly Post 21 Mar. 4/8 I hate this gutterling assault on..a true poet, who has given us of his best.
1920 Sabbath Recorder 31 May 698/1 I've always known that you were holding back, that you were not giving of your best.
1960 Today 25 June 4 An advertising agency has given of its professional best.
1990 C. Brayfield Prince 5 [They] were actresses who could never give of their best when their shoes pinched.
e. Originally English regional and Australian.
(a) to give (a person or thing) best: to admit the superiority of; to yield or give way to. Also to give best to in same sense.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > submission > submit to [verb (transitive)] > acknowledge superiority or supremacy of
yield1604
own1653
to give (a person or thing) best1851
to hand it to1901
1851 Geelong (Austral.) Advertiser 6 Feb. He offered to stake £10 upon his ‘reputation’, being greater than mine! I acknowledge it is; I give him best.
1878 Cope's Tobacco Plant Sept. 225/1 Before he went he insisted on shaking hands with old Sam, and giving him ‘best’.
1887 J. Farrell How he Died 80 Charley gave life best And died of grief.
1896 G. F. Northall Warwickshire Word-bk. 27 ‘I'll give you best at running’ = I'll allow your superiority. Glouc., and elsewhere.
1927 T. E. Lawrence Let. 1 Dec. (1938) 549 Those people who have compared the versions generally give me best with the new one.
1978 H. C. Baker I was Listening 139 Suddenly, Kevan threw up his hands. ‘I give you best!’..a schoolboy expression used in an adult fight.
1990 Birds Mag. Summer 65/2 He finally decided to give us best and took himself off.
2000 Clay Shooting Jan. 42/3 She had to give best to the fast-improving Tracey Jeffrey.
(b) to give (it) best: to admit defeat, to give up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > offer no resistance [verb (intransitive)] > give in
descend?a1400
to give up the girdlea1400
submita1525
to give over1530
subscribe1560
yield1576
come1607
to give in1616
to give the stoop1623
buckle1642
incumb1656
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
capitulate1714
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
cave1844
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
incline1866
to give (it) best1878
give way1879
to roll over1919
1878 Town & Country Jrnl. 29 June 1238/1 Some carters made a start carting from Antonie's Reef right hand branch; they made but one trip, and gave it best.
1895 A. B. Paterson Man from Snowy River (1896) 71 My country joker, are you going to give it best? Are you frightened of the fences?
1934 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Grey Granite iii. 205 In the end they..said to Selden he'd best give best else he'd get bloody murdered.
1959 Times 20 Nov. 18/5 It was now the turn of the young professionals to give best.
2004 Shooting Sports Oct. 92/2 The hollow cab still distorted the sound all to hell and I was seriously thinking about giving it best and packing up.
f. Originally U.S. to give something one's best shot: to make one's best attempt at something. Chiefly in to give it one's best shot: to do the best one can.
ΚΠ
1952 Traverse City (Mich.) Record-Eagle 17 Apr. 16/6 I'm giving it my best shot now... I don't know how to do any better.
1960 Los Angeles Times 15 Mar. iv. 4/7 This is a tremendous opportunity... I'll give it my best shot.
1990 Egg Aug. 74/3 If he doesn't give acting his best shot now, how will he ever know if he could have made it or not?
2000 J. Goodwin Danny Boy v. 121 We'll give it our best shot, old mate.
P2. In various phrases with worst, describing something which may, according to one's point of view, be perceived in either an exceptionally positive or an exceptionally negative light.In later use also with verbal echo, or direct quotation, of quot. 1859, as the best and worst of times.
ΚΠ
lOE Prose Dialogue of Solomon & Saturn I (1982) xxxvii. 30 Saga me hwæt ys betst and wyrst betwinan mannon; ic þe secge, word ys betst and wyrst betwix mannon.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xiv. 48 Blanchardyn herkned the prouost, to whom boldly he answered that he shold doo the best and the worst that he coude [in the joust].
1621 G. Hakewill King David's Vow 163 The tongue..is but a little member; yet is it (as Aesop truely said) the best or worst meate that comes to the market.
1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions (1783) II. xlviii. 17 I was..as thoughtless, and as trickful as the best, or rather—the worst of them.
1827 Boston Lyceum Nov. 214 Your love will all be lost on This best and worst of cities, Boston.
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities i. i. 1 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, [etc.].
1975 College Eng. 36 663/1 Bounded by the stock market crash of 1929 and the Second World War, it was the best and worst of times.
1982 R. Sheppard & M. Valpy National Deal p. vi There was..the best and the worst of the prime minister at work in this event.
1985 Times 9 Jan. 17/8 They were the best of figures, they were the worst of figures.
2011 A. Grose Are you considering Therapy? ii. 108 Prozac..was the best and worst of drugs.
P3. Preceded by a preposition.† c. in the best: (even) in the best conditions or circumstances; taking the most favourable or optimistic view; at best. Obsolete.
a. With at.
(a) at (the) best. Cf. at the worst at worst adj. and n. Phrases 2b.† (i) In the best way, manner, or condition; as best one can; at one's best. Obsolete. to get one's money at the best: to live dishonestly or without working.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb]
at (the) bestc1275
in the besta1450
best1577
bestest1801
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3636 Nu ich wulle sende..to iwiten at þon bezste. ȝif heo me wulleð buȝen.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4089 A ful loueli lady lettered at þe best, corteys & couenabul.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 11 After so noble spekers þat sownede at þe beste; and of hem faire facounde and resonable speche, folowed and streynede all her lyf tyme.
c1400 J. Gower Eng. Wks. (1901) II. 483 [Sustene] pes oghte every man alyve..For so this world mai stonden ate beste.
1482 W. Caxton tr. Higden's Prolicionycion i. xxx. f. xl Of whiche cleye men make erthen vessel at beste.
1532 G. Hervet tr. Xenophon Treat. House Holde f. 60v The ground that is wel tylled and dight, wyl coste moche more money, and yet hit is than euen at the beste.
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health clxxxviii. 148 Shell fishes be at the best when the moone increaseth as the Poet Horace noteth.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 172 Good Brabantio, take vp this mangled matter at the best . View more context for this quotation
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 155 To get your money at the best, signifies to live by dishonest or fraudulent practices, without labour or industry.
(ii) (Even) in the best conditions or circumstances; taking the most favourable or optimistic view; at most.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb] > in the best circumstances
at (the) best1556
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie lix. sig. Ccv Prouing you: (at best) nought to win by this war.
1629 H. Burton Truth's Triumph 133 Our inherent righteousnesse, call it Christs merits, or what you will, is at the best but as Piscis in arido.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Sol. iii. 16 Thy days are ev'll at best.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 338 Man is a short sighted Creature at best.
1797 E. Burke Third Let. Peace Regicide Directory France 99 'Tis a random shot at best.
1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iv. §19. 276 External Evidence must at the very best be but partial and secondary.
1884 W. S. Gilbert Princess Ida ii. 26 Darwinian Man... However well-behaved, At best is only a monkey shaved!
1903 Edinb. Rev. Apr. 325 Impostors or at best self-deluders.
1943 National Geographic Mag. Dec. 652/1 Violent up-and-down drafts of thunderstorms give a plane a terrific bouncing around at best and at worst can cause disaster.
1975 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 22 Jan. 9/1 In inner-city schools, basic communication between teacher and student is difficult at best.
2010 C. Seife Proofiness viii. 218 The case for deterrence was at best ambiguous.
(iii) Finance. At the best possible price.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > [adverb] > at specific type of price
at the best hand1552
at (the) best1865
1865 Scotsman 12 Apr. 3/2 At best 7s. 6d.
1938 Times 29 Sept. 19/1 Numerous orders to sell ‘at best’ have been given recently in respect of small amounts of rubber.
1958 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Antiquaries Ireland 88 171 Buying at best on a cash basis, these merchants were in turn forced to demand prompt payment from the exporting merchants.
2000 Observer 18 June (Cash section) 22/4 You placed your order ‘at best’ on the Monday, but the price had jumped by the time Schwab executed the order the following morning.
(b) at one's best: in one's best state or condition; at one's highest standard or level.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb] > state
at one's best1535
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxi. C One dyeth now when he is mightie & at his best, rich and in prosperite.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxxix. 6) When man seemeth to bee at his best, hee is altogither nothing.
a1631 J. Donne Loves Alchymie in Poems (1633) 230 Hope not for minde in women; at their best, Sweetnesse, and wit they'are, but, Mummy, possest.
1696 J. Smith True Art Angling 114 Nor will they [sc. fish] freely take them [sc. flies] till they are at their best and most plentiful.
1701 J. Brand Brief Descr. Orkney, Zetland 78 They [sc. Shelties] recover not their strength till about St. John's Mass-Day..when they are at their best.
1790 T. Wilkinson Mem. Own Life IV. 175 Mr. Barry was at that time in the prime of life, as to health and vigour; and Mrs. Cibber also at her best.
1828 H. Steuart Planter's Guide 489 Whatever is at its best..can admit of no further improvement.
1832 Athenæum 24 Mar. 197/2 She was at her best, both as to voice and exertion, on Tuesday last.
1871 S. Smiles Character i. 1 It exhibits man at his best.
1905 E. Tuite Dishes for All Seasons 15 Mutton is always at its best during the cold months, as it can be well hung to become tender.
1951 N. Pevsner Middlesex (Buildings of Eng.) 20 Norman Shaw at his very best can be studied in the plan and some of the buildings of Bedford Park, Acton.
2009 Independent 20 Nov. (Arts & Bks. section) 32/1 At her scintillating best, she is both a brilliant encapsulator and shrewd summer-up.
b. With for.
(a) for the best: so as to achieve the best outcome or result; aiming at or tending to this, esp. if not at first seeming so.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [phrase] > greatest benefit
for the bestc1390
for the bestc1390
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. xi. l. 151 God him-self hoteþ..In ensaumple for þe beste, Necesse est vt veniant scandala.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 998 It thoghte hem for the beste To sette ferst his wif in reste.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. 474 (MED) And al schal turne, I hope, for the beste.
c1475 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 142 (MED) I hope hyt schalle be for the best.
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid l. 104 in Poems (1981) 114 Perauenture all cummis for the best.
1593 G. Harvey New Let. Notable Contents sig. A3v Surely the Onely-wise..ordaineth all for the best.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iv. vi. 152 That we did we did for the best . View more context for this quotation
1671 H. More Let. 14 Mar. in Conway Lett. (1992) vi. 330 You will be so well satisfyde with all that has happened to you, that you will confesse it was for the best.
1701 T. Morer Κυριακη Ὴμερα 573 To work him to a persuasion, that whatever is done, is for the best.
1797 R. Southey Poems 98 But all's for the best.
?1816 Lady Selkirk in P. C. Newman Caesars of Wilderness (1987) i. 179 Everything in your expedition turns out for the best.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. xi. 174 He argued stoutly..that the means sanctify the end, and that he had done it all for the best.
1924 ‘R. Dehan’ Pipers of Market Place iv. 341 John bain't comin'. Belikely, 'tis all for the best.
a1953 E. O'Neill Long Day's Journey (1956) 30 I know you may have thought it was for the best.
2011 Independent 24 Oct. 10/3 If things aren't working, bailing out may be for the best.
(b) for best.† (i) Permanently, once and for all. Cf. for good at good adj., n., adv., and int. Phrases 3a. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > the end [phrase] > as a final act or once for all
once for alla1400
for good1476
for best1641
once for ado1642
once and for all1814
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 16 Those Constitutions..are now establish't for best, and not to be mended.
(ii) For special occasions (originally and esp. used with reference to clothes: cf. sense B. 9).
ΚΠ
1851 C. Brontë Let. 12 Apr. (2000) II. 602 I should like to see..some chemisettes of small size..both of simple style for everyday and good quality for best.
1882 New Albany (Indiana) Ledger 9 Mar. 1/4 They will calculate by the fashion of it how long you have worn that $15 dress for best.
1939 D. M. Shipman Everybody's Christmas Programs 13 I gave my sister this perfume..two years ago. She must be saving it for best.
1991 J. O. Cole Pride & Daily Marathon (1995) viii. 91 She always did them [sc. her exercises] in the kitchen rather than in the living room, which was kept for best.
2012 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 24 May 25/3 Mrs. Winterson... a woman with..two sets of false teeth—matt for every-day, and a pearlised set for ‘best’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb]
at (the) bestc1275
in the besta1450
best1577
bestest1801
a1450 (?1348) R. Rolle Form of Living (Cambr.) in Eng. Writings (1931) 98 (MED) We aght to lappe oure neghboure dedes in þe beste, noght in þe warst.
a1500 Partenay (Trin. Cambr.) l. 38 (MED) Ther was A Erle..In riches herite was not in þe best.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. v. 27 Murther most foule, as in the best it is.
d. of the best.
(a) Of the best quality or sort.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adjective]
highestOE
bestOE
firstlOE
greatest?c1225
of the besta1350
premiera1500
paramount1530
supremec1550
supreme1571
primer1589
top1647
nulli secundus1742
bestest1751
first class1819
beatemest1831
par excellence1839
première1844
first rate1853
beatenest1860
blue ribbon1860
optimum1885
optimal1890
class A1906
all-star1908
grade A1911
five-star1931
mostest1936
tip-topmost1937
the end1950
the most1953
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 34 Wymmon war ant wys, of prude hue bereþ þe pris, Burde on of þe best.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 1200 (MED) Þe oþer were lordes of þat lond, lelly of þe best.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 183 Ten sergeanz of þe best his targe gan him bere.
c1475 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Taylor) in J. Robson Three Early Eng. Metrical Romances (1842) 26 Boke-lornut byrnus, and bischoppus of the beste.
a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) sig. D.ii And dame Elynour entrete To byrle them of the best.
1534 in E. Peacock Eng. Church Furnit. (1866) 185 Itm̃ ix cusshions of the best wherof..be backyd wt̃ red lether.
1593 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 338 I geue To my Doteter Anes mertimer..A beare in chete [prob. = bearing sheet] of the beste.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3 Here's Ruffpeck and Casson, and all of the best.
1699 Ld. Belhaven Countrey-mans Rudim. 7 I shall advise such as sow Wheat & whose Ground is of the best.
1764 J. Stewart Let. 17 May in S. K. Stevens & D. H. Kent Papers Henry Bouquet (1942) Ser. 21650 Pt. I. 142 We are almost out of every necessary, except the King's Bounty, and that non of the best.
1828 T. C. Croker Fairy Legends & Trad. S. Ireland II. 318 After a supper which was of the best, they embarked.
1900 Daily News 12 May 6/5 China silks..look meagre and papery except when they are of the best.
1995 E. Adler Secret of Villa Mimosa 99 Everything is of the best, mam'selle, as you can see.
(b) colloquial. With preceding numeral.
(i) A specified number of pounds or dollars. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > [phrase]
of the best1911
1911 E. Wallace Sanders of River v. 103 I wouldn't take a half-share of the trouble he's going to find for five hundred of the best.
1920 P. G. Wodehouse Let. 28 Feb. in Perf. Flea (1953) 15 Heaven knows what a women's magazine wants with my sort of stuff, but they are giving me fifteen thousand of the best for it.
1928 J. Galsworthy Swan Song ii. xii. 204 The walrus put down five thousand of the best.
(ii) Chiefly British. A specified number of blows administered with a cane or other instrument as punishment. Frequently in six of the best (cf. sixer n. 2d).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > [noun] > beating > instance of
threshingOE
fustigation1428
breeching1520
trouncingc1550
bace1575
firking1594
belting1602
knave's grease1602
oil of baston1604
oil of birch1604
oil of hazel1604
oil of holly1604
oil of whip1604
lamb-pie1607
lamming1611
drubbing1650
vapulation1656
warming1681
floggation1688
working over1695
cullis1719
thrashing1720
halberd1756
licking1756
dressing1769
leathering1790
nointing1794
dusting1799
teasing1807
hiding1809
whopping1812
thrumming1823
toco1823
flaking1829
teaser1832
lathering1835
welting1840
pasting1851
towelling1851
whaling1852
hickory oil1855
swishing1859
slating1860
going-over1881
six of the best1912
belt beating1928
ass-kicking1943
stomping1958
seeing to1968
butt-kicking1970
1912 ‘Saki’ Unbearable Bassington ii. 29 You'll get six of the very best, over the back of a chair.
1923 R. Kipling Land & Sea Tales 110 I got nine cuts of the best from the Senior Sub for occupying the bathroom ten seconds too long.
1929 P. G. Wodehouse Mr. Mulliner Speaking ix. 297 He was..an officious little devil who needed six of the best with a fives-bat.
1958 ‘A. Pearson’ Whipping Club iii. 49 Down with your trousers, Bill. Ten of the best.
1989 W. Soyinka Ìsarà iv. 118 Akinyode gave him, as he was fond of putting it, ‘twelve of the best’, then sent him back to class to complete his interrupted papers.
2012 Independent 18 Feb. 19/3 In his day, it was six of the best from the headmaster.
(c) colloquial. one of the best: a good or upstanding person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [noun] > good person
bricka1845
my tulip1847
honey1848
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
rattler1886
toff1898
one of the best1917
goody1934
1917 ‘Contact’ Airman's Outings 238 The brigades are directed by the General-Officer-Commanding.., one of the best, who treats us like brothers.
1959 Listener 22 Jan. 155/1 Harry Truman was one of the best.
2011 A. Kizer Wildcat Fireflies 236 My condolences. He was a good man. One of the best.
e. With to.
(a) to the best: in the best way, most excellently or favourably. Cf. to take to the best at to prep. 10b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > in or to the greatest degree
never solOE
with (also mid) the mostc1275
for the masteryc1325
to the bestc1390
to the uttermostc1400
at the hardest1429
to the utmostc1450
to the skies (also sky)1559
at float1594
all to nothing1606
to the height1609
to the proofa1625
to the last degree1639
to the welkin?1746
(the) worst kind1839
for all it's worth1864
as —— as they make them?a1880
in the highest1897
to the nth (degree, power)1897
up to eleven1987
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [adverb] > in the best sense
to the best1531
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. viii. l. 63 (MED) Ȝe Legistres..serueþ to þe Beste.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. 1748 (MED) She..was arraied to the beste.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 107 Yeur swevyn turne to good! And I woll halsow it to the best.
1531 W. Tyndale Expos. & Notes (1849) 175 He taketh it to the best, and is not offended.
(b) to the best of: according to the extent of, to the utmost power of. Frequently in to the best of one's recollection, belief, ability, etc.: as far as one remembers, knows, is able, etc.Recorded earliest in to the best of one's power at power n.1 Phrases 8; see also to the best of a person's knowledge at knowledge n. Phrases 4b, to do the best of one's power at Phrases 4b.
ΚΠ
1503–4 Act 19 Henry VII c. 34 in Statutes of Realm (1816) II. 685 To helpe and assiste hym to the best of their power.
1673 A. Marvell Corr. ccxi, in Wks. (1875) II. 413 Ready to..serve them to the best of your capacityes.
1683 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 309 According to the best of our knowledge.
1702 J. Flamsteed Let. 31 Mar. in Corr. (1997) II. 929 I have not noted in my book when it began to rise but to the best of my Memory it continued at this height till about Noone.
1710 J. Addison Tatler No. 250. ⁋1 I can safely say, I acted according to the best of my Understanding.
1775 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 65 117 [My pulse], to the best of my judgment by feeling it, beat at the rate of 100 pulsations in a minute.
1843 C. Brontë in Life (1857) I. 290 She..will always serve you..to the best of her abilities.
1863 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation 132 To the best of his belief.
1933 E. Wharton Let. 29 Apr. (1988) 559 To the best of my recollection..it was about three years ago that the L.H.J. offered me $25,000 for my Reminiscences.
1973 K. Giles File on Death i. 10 He's been psyched to the best of our skill.
2002 B. Hoey Her Majesty xix. 298 By performing their tasks to the best of their ability, they might be making life a little easier for the Boss.
f. with the best.† (a) In the best way, most excellently. Cf. mid the best at mid prep.1 7d. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adverb] > equally
as well asa1225
with the bestc1300
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > equality [phrase] > as well as (anyone)
as well asa1225
with the bestc1300
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Laud) (1901) l. 494 Syre he seyde wiltu luste Ane tale wit þe beste.
c1330 Seven Sages (Auch.) (1933) l. 1522 Þe king..kep þe leuedi wiȝ þe best.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. vi. l. 302 (MED) Folke..fedde hunger with þe best.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 389 For Blankmanger, that maade he with the beste.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xiv. l. 472 (MED) He Sawgh..A semly knyht there, araied with the best.
(b) As well as anyone. Also with the best of them.
ΚΠ
?1527 J. Skelton Agaynste Comely Coystrowne Iak wold Iet and yet Iyll sayd nay. he counteth in his countenaunce to checke with ye best.
1574 J. Higgins 1st Pt. Mirour for Magistrates Cassibellane f. 73v Who would not, meeting Cæsar in the place, Fight for life, prince and countrey with the beste.
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 86 I coold my rulez, coold conster & pars with the best of them.
1608 G. Markham & L. Machin Dumbe Knight i. sig. B3v Be patient wench, and thou shalt shortly see me gallant it with the best.
1691 T. Brown Weesils ii. 7 His Wife too, in her Cock'd Comode well drest, And richest Silks, can rustle with the best.
1748 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 5 Jan. (1966) II. 393 I can assure you she jumps and Gallops with the best of them.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. i. 9 Warrant I'll mob with the best of them!
1864 Ld. Tennyson Grandmother v, in Enoch Arden, etc. 116 Only at your age, Annie, I could have wept with the best.
1889 H. O'Reilly & J. Y. Nelson Fifty Years on Trail 7 As junior waiter..I could sling dishes around with the best of them.
1935 ‘L. Luard’ Conquering Seas 32 I can make tea with the best of 'em, Peter.
1957 I. Cross God Boy (1958) xxii. 187 I can drag my share out of the old girls with the best of them.
2004 Mojo June 88/3 In the beginning, Gaye could soul-shout with the best.
P4. Followed by a prepositional phrase (chiefly in best of).† b. to do the best of one's power: to do the best one can do, or as much as one is able. Cf. to the best of one's power at power n.1 Phrases 8. Obsolete.
a.
(a) to have the best of: to have the advantage or upper hand with regard to (a contest, encounter, or other situation), to be the overall winner of; frequently in to have the best of it. Also: to get the better of, have an advantage over (an opponent, enemy, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery, superiority, or advantage [verb (intransitive)]
risec1175
to have the higher handa1225
to have the besta1393
bettera1400
vaila1400
to win or achieve a checka1400
surmount1400
prevaila1425
to have (also get) the better handa1470
to go away with it1489
to have the besta1500
to have (also get, etc.) the better (or worse) end of the staff1542
to have ita1616
to have (also get) the laugh on one's side1672
top1718
beat1744
to get (also have) the right end of the stick1817
to have the best of1846
to go one better1856
a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 4355 There was no justes nor turnament In the lande, where y wente, But I had the beste of all.
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) v.ii. 343 I see well that Polexander must have the best..of his Enemies.
1703 A. Boyer Hist. King William III II. 279 The French, if they had the best of it, would yet pay dear for their Victory.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue To be upon velvet, to have the best of a bet or match.
1832 T. Moore in Isis 12 May 224/2 Nor e'er were known such pleasant folk As those who had the best of the joke.
1846 R. Browning Luria ii, in Bells & Pomegranates No. VIII 9/2 You have so plainly here the best of it.
1879 Lippincott's Mag. Mar. 379/2 I had the best of him, and he knew it.
1921 Chambers's Jrnl. May 290/2 An encounter in which ‘Porcy’ had the best of it.
1968 ‘J. Norman’ Priest-kings of Gor 9 Both disputants leave the field each fully convinced that he has had the best of the contest.
2010 M. Pugh Speak for Britain! (2011) xiii. 380 Although Labour had the best of the campaign it made only a modest impression on the poll.
(b) to get the best of: to defeat (an opponent), to gain an advantage over (a person); to prevail in (an encounter or contest); to overcome. Cf. to get (also have) the better of at better n.1 3.
ΚΠ
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada iii. 197 Although they had lost many of their company, yet had they so many left as they hoped to get the best of their Adversaries.
1743 J. Bancks Hist. House of Austria iv. 36/1 The Emperor Frederick..[was] opposed by his brother Albert..and his cousin Sigismund... He got the best of them however at last.
1820 Brit. Luminary & Weekly Intelligence 23 July 289/2 Oliver gets the best of the first part of the round, but a heavy hit upon the temple..floors him.
1880 Harper's Mag. July 320/1 He turned to his neighbor, and brandishing his ticket, exclaimed,..‘Guess I got the best of him that time.’
1984 A. Maupin Babycakes (1989) i. 1 She'd felt a mild case of the sniffles coming on, and she was dashed if she'd let it get the best of her.
2010 Asian Woman No. 43. 31/2 Keeping desire alive by pushing through our comfort zone, not allowing the routine of life to get the best of us.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > do one's utmost
to do (also lay) one's mightc1175
to do, make one's wisec1290
to do (also make) one's powerc1390
to hold (also keep) foot withc1438
to do one's force?c1450
to do or die1487
to do one's endeavour(sc1500
to do the best of one's power1523
to do (also try) one's best1585
to do one's possible1792
to pull out all the stops1927
to bust (also break) one's balls1968
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ix. f. iiiv/2 I shall do ye best of my power to conducte you and my lorde your sonne.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxi. sig. Nvv I shall do the best of my power.
1775 Ld. Dunmore Let. 30 Nov. in Remembrancer (1776) 3 24/2 I am therefore determined to go on doing the best of my power for his Majesty's service.
c.
(a) to make the best of: to derive what advantage one can from (something, esp. something unsatisfactory); to do the best one can with regard to; to exploit to full advantage. Frequently in to make the best of it.See also to make the best of a bad bargain at bargain n.1 7, to make the best of a bad job at job n.2 Phrases 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > make the best use of
to make the best of1533
economize1828
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > recourse > have recourse to [verb (transitive)] > make do with
to make (a) shift1577
to make the best of1692
1533 T. More 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere iv. p. vi We shall gesse at hys mynde as nere as we can and make the best of hys mater.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 39 I was fayne than to be content to make the best of my shoote that I coulde.
1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xxix. f. lxxviij A vertuous man behaueth hym selfe pacyentlye and well in aduersyte and maketh the beste of it.
a1626 F. Bacon Wks. (1861) VI. 459 Carry their commodities where they may make the best of them.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables vi. 7 The man was willing however to make the Best of a Bad Game.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 148 We made the best of every little Spurt of Wind.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 132 Here am I sitting as candidly disposed to make the best of the worst,..and all runs counter.
1841 J. H. Newman Let. in Corr. (1917) 163 For centuries she [sc. the Church] has been wasting away, because persons have made the best of things and palliated serious faults.
1861 A. Trollope Orley Farm (1862) I. ii. 11 She..took his home as she found it, making the best of it for herself.
1935 Jrnl. Pediatrics 6 115 An attempt..to make the best of a premature baby situation.
1985 J. Wyndham Love Lessons (1986) i. 15 This war really isn't at all bad. We make the best of things, putting our trust in God and Arthur Askey.
1996 Movieline Sept. 66 Marilyn Monroe also knew how to make the best of her qualities.
2005 C. Cleave Incendiary 165 It wasn't very relaxing out there but everyone was making the best of it. That's the British way after all.
(b) to make the best of one's way and to make one's best way: see way n.1 and int.1 Phrases 1h(b).
d.
(a) the best of the bunch and variants: the best from among a group of individuals. Frequently in the best of a bad bunch (also lot) and variants: the least unsatisfactory from among a group of disappointing individuals.
ΚΠ
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments xi. 1298/1 The beste cote carde beside in the bunche, yea thoughe it were the Kyng of Clubbes.
1608 T. Middleton Trick to catch Old-one ii. sig. C The best card in all the bunch.
1699 T. Saunders Fortunatus's Looking-glass 28 The Ladies Invention (you may still see that is the best of all the Bunch).
1767 W. Kenrick Widow'd Wife i. ii. 11 I would not exchange him for the best of the bunch of baronets.
1840 Southern Lit. Messenger July 574/1 The Lincoln Rehearsal, to our notion, is the best picture of the bunch.
1873 J. J. Brooks Whiskey Drips 193 Believing you are the best of a bad bunch, I am here to save you.
1880 Bell's Life in London 28 Aug. 7/1 Street Arab, a plain musical colt of disputed parentage, only proved himself the best of a bad lot in the Badminton Plate.
1928 P. M. Shand Bk. French Wines ix. 228 Of the wines of the Var..the kindest thing that can be said is that those mentioned are the best of a bad lot.
1948 Sporting Mirror 19 Nov. 14/1 The West Bromwich v. Southampton match is the best of the bunch.
1989 Observer 25 June (Colour Suppl.) 55/2 I thought the Teurons the best of a good bunch, for its typical pinot ‘rotty’ nose and sweetness.
1992 Which? Oct. 12/1 The Post Office..does better than the other companies we looked at, but it's only the best of a bad bunch.
(b) the best of the best: the very best person or thing of a particular kind; the most skilled or distinguished person or group; (also) something that is unsurpassed or of the highest quality. Cf. crème de la crème n. at crème n. 2. See also the worst of the worst at worst adj. and n. Phrases 3b.
ΚΠ
1959 Vogue 1 Nov. 114 (heading) The Best of the Best. Quick tastes of the new books.
1974 T. S. Hines Burnham of Chicago (1979) 218 The best candidates would compete for awards and the best of the best would be selected.
1999 Beaver June 10/2 To be a man of the north was to be the best of the best.
2011 R. Ford & J. Wiedermann App & Mobile Case Study Bk. i. 37 Our designers..wanted to compete with the best of the best.
(c) Originally Sport. (the) best of the rest: the most skilled, distinguished, or worthy member or members of a group from which the very best member or members have already been removed or discounted.
ΚΠ
1964 Winnipeg Free Press 15 June 28/4 Lady Anza set the pace for a half, gave way under pressure put on by the winner to be best of the rest.
1977 Washington Post (Nexis) 27 Feb. d3 With the Redskins having only five picks in the new 12-round 1977 draft, the pressure surely will be heavy to sign the best of the rest.
1985 R. A. Baker & M. T. Nietzel Private Eyes 270 Best of the Rest. This chapter features additional authors in the post 1970 period.
2000 Z. Smith White Teeth (2001) ix. 218 He was the best of the rest, on any scale of juvenile delinquency he was the shining light of the teenage community.
e.
(a) the best of (a specified odd number of heats, games, sets, etc.): a contest consisting of a series of heats, games, sets, etc., between two parties in which the contestant who wins the majority of the specified number of heats, games, sets, etc., is declared the overall winner. Also elliptically as best of three, best of five, etc.
ΚΠ
1679 List Horse Races Mar. & Apr. at New-Market (single sheet) Mouse the Duke of Monmouths Gelding, against the Duke of Albemarl's gray Gelding, the best of three heats 12 stone, for 200 l.
1768 I. Bickerstaff Absent Man ii. xii. 33 The Earl of Sweepstakes rid his own horse Fleabite, the best of three heats over the Beacon course for a thousand.
1785 J. Byng Diary 3 July in C. B. Andrews Torrington Diaries (1934) I. 208 The best of three heats. No less than three will be allowed to start.
1823 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Dec. 719/1 Tom offered to stake three to two on himself, for the best of five falls.
1869 S. Berdmore Colston II. i. 9 ‘Best of three?’ said the squire. ‘Certainly.’ ‘Then here goes—heads or tails?’
1895 H. W. W. Wilberforce Lawn Tennis 77 All matches shall be the best of three advantage-sets.
1933 Ld. Aberdare Rackets, &c. ix. 109 A match shall consist of the best of five games.
1991 M. Curtin Plastic Tomato Cutter xxi. 175 They were playing best of three.
1997 Shetland Times 21 Nov. 40/5 The final was the best of five frames.
(b) best-of-(a specified odd number): used attributively to designate a contest between two parties in which the contestant who wins the majority of the specified number of heats, games, sets, etc., is declared the overall winner.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [adjective] > types of
maiden1598
well-run1601
unequal1654
well contested1722
returned1758
friendly1780
close-run1813
foursome1814
lightweight1823
tight1828
side1829
one-sided1839
scratch1851
international1859
all-comers1860
scrub1867
pointless1876
scoreless1885
replayed1886
peg-down1887
all-star1889
stiff1890
varsity1891
postseason1893
knock-out1896
best-of-(a specified odd number)1897
seeded1901
junior varsity1902
Simon Pure1905
pegged-down1908
JV1923
zero-sum1944
tie-breaking1970
1897 Official Lawn Tennis Bull. 2 Sept. 243/1 Condee reached the final round, but only succeeded in capturing three games in a best-of-five match.
1967 Boston Sunday Herald 26 Mar. ii. 1/5 The Celtics went up 2–0 on New York in their best-of-five first-round Eastern Division playoffs.
1977 Time (Atlantic ed.) 19 Sept. 56/1 Among the eagle-eyed yachting fraternity that swarmed into historic Newport for the best-of-seven series, there was nearly unanimous agreement.
1993 Racing Post 20 Feb. 15/2 This afternoon's best-of-11 semifinal.
f. Chiefly British. at the best of times: even in the most advantageous conditions or circumstances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > in prosperous condition [phrase] > in the best of circumstances
at the best of times1755
1755 S. Pike & S. Hayward Some Important Cases Conscience Answered I. vii. 108 You had, even at the best of Times, a Jealousy in your Mind.
1861 C. E. L. Riddell City & Suburb II. vi. 107 Life in lodgings, at the best of times, is not a peculiarly exhilarating state of existence.
1887 A. Birrell C. Brontë x. 117 The public, muddle-headed at the best of times.
1936 E. C. Bentley & H. W. Allen Trent's Own Case iv. 30 A shifty-looking character at the best of times, thought the Inspector; and now looking sick and frightened.
1966 M. Kelly Dead Corse x. 162 Allie could not take drink at the best of times.
2002 Trav. Afr. Winter 40/1 Notoriously boggy at the best of times, these trails are best avoided during the rains.
g. the best of friends (also mates, pals, etc.): very good or close friends.
ΚΠ
1796 Tomohawk 18 Jan. 285/1 We always were the best of friends, Our squabbles, pray let's drop 'em.
1880 Times 21 Sept. 4/1 People who leave Southampton the best of friends and arrive in Bombay dead cuts.
1944 A. Christie Towards Zero 25 Leonard's new wife and his Ex were the best of friends.
1997 J. Ryan Dismantling Mr Doyle iv. 50 He and Noel were the best of pals in secondary school.
1999 H. Redknapp & D. McGovern 'Arry (new ed.) xv. 225 If I'd have still been playing John and I would have been the best of mates because he's great company.
2004 Backwoods Home Mag. July 34/3 Even the best of friends can come to blows.
h.
(a) Also with lower-case initials. Best in (also of) Show: the best of all entrants in a competition or show, spec. the dog judged best of the winners of the various classes at a dog show; the award or title given to such a winner.
ΚΠ
1879 Kennel Club Cal. & Stud Bk. 6 76 Belfast, 1st prize and Fox Terrier club medal for best in show.
1883 Forest & Stream 27 Sept. 170/3 She..won the special as best in show..with her kennel companion Garrylord.
1939 Zanesville (Ohio) Signal 30 Sept. 12 (caption) Be interested in pumpkins because the best-of-show will bring a prize of $10.
1955 Times 7 Apr. 5/4 Owlsmoor..won the gun dog group and was made best-in-show of all breeds.
1989 C. Clark Amer. Wines of Northwest ii. ix. 285 Hogue's very first Cabernet Sauvignon..took Best of Show at the large Atlanta wine festival.
2012 Daily Tel. 12 Mar. 2/2 A Lhasa Apso was named Best in Show at Crufts last night.
(b) best of breed.
(i) Also with capital initials. The animal judged to be the best of its breed in a competition or show, esp. a dog show; the award or title given to such an animal.
ΚΠ
1886 R. C. Auld Breed that beats Rec. xi. 120 Winning,..at London, the very coveted great gold medal of the show ; besides the class prizes—cups for best of breed, best of sex, [etc.].
1892 Indiana (Pa.) Progress 6 Jan. These are the best of breed and will be sold at some price.
1939 Times 8 June 13/4 Mrs. Hubert Roberts's French bulldog..also made best of breed.
1991 Dog Fancy Jan. 87/1 (advt.) Dam is mother of 1990 Specialty Best of Breed.
1993 Dog World Oct. 11/3 Giessel co-bred three of the last five Irish Water Spaniels to win Best of Breed at Westminster.
(ii) A product, esp. a piece of computer software or hardware, considered to be the best of its class. Frequently attributive (usually in form best-of-breed).
ΚΠ
1984 PC 7 Aug. 300 (advt.) Now you can buy the finest PC compatible boards, accessories and software from a single, trusted source. The Heath Company. We guarantee these to be the best of breed for your PC.
1984 PC 27 Nov. 460/2 Those ‘Best of Breed’ boards come with complete instructions.
1999 Time 8 Mar. 85/1 The Pentium II, whose best of breed clocks in now at 450 MHz.
2000 Red Herring Mar. 91/2 Watch for that next startup coming down the road that organizes its business as a pod, leverages best-of-breed technology, [etc.].
i.
best before date n. a date (introduced by the words ‘best before’) marked on a perishable product, esp. a foodstuff, indicating the date after which the contents may be expected to deteriorate; cf. sell-by date n. at sell v. Compounds 2, use-by date n. at use v. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [noun] > decay or deterioration of food > date after which food decays
best before date1974
use-by date1974
1974 Carillon (Steinbach, Manitoba) 3 July i. 13/2 Suggested ‘best before’ date based on the durable life of the product.
1991 Which? Aug. 473/1 Frozen foods don't have to carry a ‘best before’ date.
2001 Church Times 13 July 5/4 Food that is past its sell-by date but not its best-before date will be offered to the [Salvation] Army throughout the country.
P5. British. best pleased: most pleased, particularly pleased. Now chiefly in negative constructions.In early use probably not a fixed collocation.
ΚΠ
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. xxviii. sig. iv Diuers will assent to that reasons, wherewith they suppose that he whiche is chiefe in authoritie wyll be best pleased.
1624 Earl of Strafford Let. 14 Aug. (1739) I. 23 I was best pleased to hear of that Commodity, being for all the rest John Indifferent.
a1687 C. Cotton tr. Martial Epigr. in Poems (1689) 561 To be best pleas'd with thine own state, Neither to wish, nor fear thy Fate.
1775 C. Johnston Pilgrim 122 The Archbishop and he have parted not the best pleased with each other.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxvii. 277 The deputy shepherd seemed by no means best pleased with Sam's arrival.
1892 A. Conan Doyle Adventures Sherlock Holmes iii. 60 I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death.
1932 A. Huxley Let. 19 Mar. (1969) 359 In Cannes, we saw H. G. Wells who, I fear, wasn't best pleased with it.
1965 A. L. Rowse Diary 8 Dec. (2003) 362 The old professionals lolling around, not best pleased.
1991 M. Dibdin Dirty Tricks (1992) 33 I wasn't best pleased to see her.
P6. one's best life: the best, happiest, or most fulfilling life a person can possibly imagine or aspire to. to live one's best life: to attain happiness and fulfil one's potential, esp. after overcoming personal difficulties; often as living my best life.In early use with reference to a life lived in strict accordance with moral or religious principles.The phrase to live one's best life was popularized by influential U.S. television host and author Oprah Winfrey: see quot. 2000.
ΚΠ
1789 S. Grubb Let. May in Some Acct. Life & Relig. Labours (1792) 401 The enemy of all good, will,..seek to destroy the immortal birth [of Christ in us]... To be preserved from this attack upon thy best life, peradventure thou mayest be induced to flee into the wilderness.
1823 G. Crabbe Wks. III. ii. 42 He dream'd..[of] his loved home... ‘There stand My wife, my children..; See! there my dwelling—oh! delicious scene Of my best life.’
1866 T. Tilton Let. 2 Dec. in T. Tilton vs. H. W. Beecher (1875) I. 503/2 I like Mr. Beecher... But he hạs ceased..to inspire me to my best life. I believe he is not as morally great as he once was.
2000 Business Wire (Nexis) 17 Apr. ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’, the women's personal growth guide for the 21st century... As founder and editorial director, Oprah says, ‘I believe you're here to become more of yourself, to live your best life.’
2020 @zaynxlexi 12 Apr. in twitter.com (accessed 23 Sept. 2020) I..don't care what men want lol im happy single and living my best life.
P7. Originally Boxing. may the best man win and variants: used (originally as a toast before a fight) to express the hope that a competition is to be a fair one, with the winner being the most deserving competitor.
ΚΠ
1817 Morning Chron. 2 Apr. Scroggins drank, ‘may it be a good fight,..and no interruption!’ Turner replied, ‘may the best man win, and nobody else.’
1861 Cornhill Mag. Jan. 31 The generous justice which first threw open to all the race of life,..a fair field promised to all alike, and the best man to win.
1949 Boys' Life Jan. 31/1 Barney Jenson... glanced over his shoulder at Dick, and said, ‘So long, pal. May the best man win, and don't be disappointed if he does.’
2011 Aberdeen Evening Express (Nexis) 17 Jan. 14 In the International Female Solo Artist section, we'll see..Katy Perry and Robyn fight it out with Rihanna..and Kylie Minogue. May the best woman win.
P8.
best and best adj. originally Australian designating a racing boat, (now) spec. a punt, of the lightest and narrowest construction; cf. best boat n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessels propelled by oars or poles > [adjective] > light or racing
shell1858
best and best1862
1862 Bell's Life in Sydney 29 Mar. 2/4 [He] volunteered to match him in ‘best and best’ boats (which, to the uninitiated we may explain means that each competitor is allowed to row in the best boat he can procure) against either of the Sydney men present.
1865 Brisbane Courier 7 July 1/4 I will Row in best and best boats.
1894 Daily News 5 May 6/5 The race will..be decided in best-and-best punts.
1908 G. Nickalls in T. A. Cook & G. Nickalls Thomas Doggett Deceased x. 83 These silly wings were allowed to disappear and the proper ‘best and best’ boat immediately took their place.
1986 Guardian 11 Aug. 17/4 This is a racing boat. It is not your common or garden punt, it is not even a good punt or a best punt. It is a ‘Best and Best punt’, which is no less than 34 foot long and only some 15 inches wide.
P9. Originally U.S. Proverb. the best things in life are free and variants: the most pleasurable and valuable experiences are those one does not have to pay for.
ΚΠ
1881 L. Palmer Jeannette's Cistern 13 All the really best things in life are free to all, like the air and sunshine.
1897 Kansas City (Missouri) Star 14 Aug. 3/6 All of the best things in life are free, the pure air, the glorious sunshine.
1906 Canad. Mag. 27 265 Lest men who delve for gold forget The best in life is free as air.
1927 B. G. de Sylva et al. Best things in Life are Free (song) in Good News! The best things in life are free. The stars belong to ev'ryone, they gleam there for you and me.
1955 W. Gaddis Recognitions ii. ii. 376 Someone once told them the best things in life are free, and so they've got in the habit of not paying.
2009 Independent 22 Jan. 30/4 For children at least, the best things in life—love, talk, song, stories, play and firm parental guidance—are still free.
P10. Chiefly British. all the best: used to wish a person well, esp. when parting.
ΚΠ
1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. ii. vii. 439 Chin-chin, Effie my dear, and all the best for Xmas!
1954 K. Amis Let. 9 May (2000) 389 All the best. Hasta la vista. Yours, Kingsley Amis.
1994 Entertainm. Weekly 29 Apr. 26/2 I wish her all the best.
2001 D. King Burglar Diaries xx. 156 There's a flurry of—‘good luck mate, all the best mate’—and our group gets smaller.
P11. colloquial (originally U.S.). you're the best: a formula used to praise, compliment, or encourage someone; abbreviated ytb.
ΚΠ
1964 B. Capps Trail to Ogallala ii. 20 We appreciate it, Scott boy. You're the best. We know we can count on you.
1979 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 21 Sept. 13/4 Anne Murray ended her..performance at Carnegie Hall..to calls of ‘Annie, you're the best’, and ‘You're dynamite’.
1980 N.Y. Times 22 Aug. c6/3 When I moved to California six years ago and was starving, she'd send me little notes that said, ‘You can do it, you're the best’.
1988 M. Chapman & H. Knight The Best (song) You're simply the best. Better than all the rest... You're the best.
2001 W. Ferguson Generica vii. 52 Thanks so much, May. You're the best.
P12. at the best advice: see advice n. Phrases 3. alder-best: see alder- prefix 1a. best of all: see all adj., pron., n., adv., and conj. Phrases 3b. bad is the best: see bad adj., n.2, and adv. Phrases 1b. best bet: see bet n.2 1a. best bib and tucker: see bib n.1 1b. the best of both worlds: see world n. Phrases 29a. to play one's best card: see card n.2 2. the best club in London: see club n. 15c. attack is the best form of defence and the best defense is a good offense: see defence n. Phrases 1. the best game: see game n. 10. at the best hand: see hand n. 25b. honesty is the best policy: see honesty n. 5b. to know best: see know v. Phrases 9b. he laughs best who laughs last and variants: see laugh v. Phrases 2c. the best that money can buy and variants: see money n. Phrases 2a(h). while the play is best: see play n. 12. an old poacher makes the best gamekeeper: see poacher n.1 1b. for reasons best known to oneself and variants: see reason n.1 Phrases 3f. revenge is a dish best served cold: see revenge n. Phrases 4. to have seen one's best days: see see v. 23a(a). to seek one's best (avail): see seek v. 7b. the best thing since sliced bread: see sliced adj. 1b. so best: see so adv. and conj. 5d. with the best will (in the world): see will n.1 Phrases 2j(c).
Compounds
C1. Compounds of the adverb or noun.
a. Frequently forming superlatives of corresponding compounds with well.
(a)
(i) Combining with participles with the sense ‘in the best way or manner, to the highest standard, excellently’ to form adjectives, as best-aimed, best-bred, best-built, best-considered, best-cultivated, best-established, best-grounded, best-made, best-managed, best-moving, best-performing, best-preserved, best-trained, etc.Some of the more established compounds of this type are treated separately at Compounds 1a(a)(ii).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > [adjective] > in proper order > kept in best order
bestc1330
best-kept1577
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1154 Mi loue no schaltow haue..Er þou perles holden be & best doand in þis cuntre.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 224 Oon of the beste farynge man on lyue.
c1453 Brut (Harl. 53) 564 (MED) He was countet and hold þe best-nurturet man of Englond.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 42 Iason was more and more in the grace of the ladyes, For the best born the most fayre the best accomplisshed..fyxed their loue in hym.
c1484 J. de Caritate tr. Secreta Secret. (Takamiya) (1977) 198 (MED) Þe best-dysposid men..be of mene statur, with blake eyn and blake her..and vppryght statur.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost ii. i. 29 We single you, As our best mouing faire soliciter. View more context for this quotation
1611 L. Barry Ram-Alley iv. i. sig. G2 Ile neuer come but when her best stitcht hat, Her Bowgle gowne and best wrought smock is on.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 3 May (1974) VIII. 198 The Duke of York's chamber..is one of the noblest and best-proportioned rooms.
1671 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Shouldred-head (a term in Archery) the best made Heads of an Arrow..being..made with shoulders.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 18 Mar. 2/1 He gives Plates for the best performing Horse..for him that trots best,..for the best Walker.
1762 D. Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) V. lxx. 253 Multitudes struck with the best-grounded terror.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. ii. 10 Counter to the clearest best-established principles of reason.
1785 A. Young Ann. Agric. 111 The best cultivated counties would even be benefited, were county-farms established on a great scale.
1791 W. Taplin Gentleman's Stable Directory II. 18 The best bred blood stock, now in the highest and most incredible state of cultivation.
1796 S. T. Coleridge Relig. Musings in Poems Var. Subj. 148 In her best-aim'd blow Victorious Murder a blind Suicide.
1845 M. Fuller Woman in 19th Cent. 133 The best considered efforts have often failed.
1856 Farmer's Mag. Nov. 384 The prizes given..for the best regulated farms.
1863 C. Lyell Geol. Evid. Antiq. Man 69 The best-preserved human skulls.
1880 Pop. Sci. Monthly June 243 It is a peculiarity of American frame-buildings to have all the improvements of the best-built stone houses in Europe.
1920 Harvey's Weekly 5 June 4/1 Senator Knox is the best-equipped all-around international statesman.
1955 Househ. Guide & Almanac (News of World) 215/1 Even in the best-ordered homes, someone occasionally spills tea, coffee, ink or soup.
1973 V. Teresa & T. C. Renner My Life in Mafia i. 5 G Block was considered the toughest block in the prison, but it was the best-run block of all.
1992 Wall St. Jrnl. 25 Nov. a5/2 The company has long had a reputation as being one of the best-managed in the U.S.
2009 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 25 Jan. (Front section) 10/2 He had built one of the best-organized, best-trained bush armies in Africa.
(ii)
best-dressed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > smartly or elegantly dressed > better than anyone else
best-dressed1680
1680 J. Nalson Foxes & Fire-brands 2 One of the best drest Heresies that ever appeared in the World since that of the Arians.
a1689 A. Behn Widdow Ranter (1690) iii. ii. 32 You may do what you please, but you lose one of the best drest Officers in your whole Camp.
1743 H. Fielding Journey from this World i. xxii, in Misc. II. 189 He and Sir Hugh Bigot are the two best-drest Men I ever saw.
1840 Knickerbocker Aug. 163 You shall be the best dressed and the best mounted lad there!
1903 A. Bennett Leonora viii. 206 We are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.
2011 Independent 29 Sept. (Viewspaper section) 3/1 We were the best-dressed, highest-paid people in the airline industry.
(b)
(i) Combining with adjectives and participles with the sense ‘to the fullest extent, most’ to form adjectives and derived nouns, as best-able, best-abused, best-accomplished, best-described, best-discussed, best-esteemed, best-frequented, best-hated, best-learned, best-nourishing, best-pleasing, best-skilled, best-studied, etc.Some of the more established compounds of this type are treated separately at Compounds 1a(b)(ii).
ΚΠ
OE Homily: Invention of Cross (Auct. F.4.32) in M.-C. Bodden Old Eng. Finding of True Cross 73 Hio þa gecuron þusend þara betst gelæredra Iudeiscra manna.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8408 (MED) He þat better can mend þen pere Best worþi es to be þin air.
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 139 (MED) Thebes..was..the best peeplid citee vpon the erthe while it endured.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 4v The best learned, and best men.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xli. 237 It is a great daunting to the best able man..when he shall finde his whole dayes trauell not able to furnish him of necessarie prouision.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 166 I doe feast to night My best esteemd acquaintance. View more context for this quotation
1610 L. Andrewes Serm. Preached before His Maiestie at White-hall 37 Wee..offer Him againe to God, as the best pleasing Oblation that wee can offer him.
1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. vi. 127 The best-skilled of us all.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist i. 41 The generality of the best learned Men interpret it of the Eucharist.
1770 Portrait of Life I. 136 Education had rendered her one of the best accomplished women in Lyons.
1848 Punch 15 155/1 We have heard certain persons whose claims to distinction arose from their being the ‘best abused men in the world’.
1872 H. I. Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lake District (1879) 4 One of the best-frequented houses in the district.
1900 Daily News 16 Feb. 7/2 Englishmen are the best-hated people in the world.
1903 ‘A. McNeill’ Egregious Eng. (ed. 3) 100 The best-discussed and best-described man in England.
1946 New Yorker 11 May 49 (advt.) Colorful, human-interest stories and commentary by one of radio's best-liked personalities.
1964 A. White et al. Princ. Biochem. (ed. 3) xxi. 403 The best-studied mutase is phosphoglucomutase.
1992 J. Osborne Cardinal i. 25 One of the best-nourishing seeds to buy for your backyard birds is the small black oil sunflower seed.
(ii)
best-known adj.
ΚΠ
?1541 R. Copland Formularie of Helpes of Woundes & Sores in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens sig. Tj Althoughe it be that the dysposycyons that make composycyons in woundes be sondry, neuerthelesse bycause of breuyte I wyll put here but the comunes, that is to saye the best knowen.
1579 E. K. in E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Gen. Argt. §2 The vsed and best knowen name.
1667 N. Fairfax Let. 5 Dec. in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1967) IV. 14 Ye best known way to keep wheat from meldewing is to sow a third of rye with it.
1745 Scots Mag. June 264/1 Such an inquiry would be a direct attack upon one of the best known prerogatives of the crown.
1877 Academy 14 Apr. 311 Isidore..the best-known cyclopædiac writer of that time.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 24 May 3/1 The Irish crochet point is..the best-known of all Irish laces.
2009 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 16 Oct. c26/1 Excellent pieces by most of the era's best-known artists.
best-loved n. and adj.
ΚΠ
1587 R. Holinshed et al. Hist. Scotl. (new ed.) 333/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II He hanged eighteene of the chiefest and best loued vnto Lennox.
1685 T. Otway Windsor Castle 23 The ugliest Snakes, and best lov'd Fav'rites there.
1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia I. i. 25 He came and bore his best-loved Friend to his Dwelling.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. i. 23 Since her early gladness in this best-loved boy, the harvests of her life had been scanty.
1941 B. Schulberg What makes Sammy Run? xi. 266 An old-womanishness that's won him the reputation of best-loved producer.
2004 Classic Rock Oct. 4 Progressive rock has produced some of the world's best-loved bands.
(c)
(i) Complementary, as in best-appearing, best-seeming, best-smelling, best-sounding, best-tasting, etc.
ΚΠ
c1450 Bk. Gostlye Grace (1979) 484 Þe mooste curyouse ande the beste smyllynge thynge made of dyuers spyces.
1586 Praise of Musicke ii. 34 The best seeming comfort in such cases is to be comfortles.
1597 W. Langham Garden of Health 514 The oyle of Quinces is made of the smallest, roundest, and best smelling Quinces.
1605 J. Mosan tr. C. Wirsung Gen. Pract. Physick ii. vi. 266 Take the iuice of the best tasting sweete and sower Apples.
1667 J. Owen Indulgence & Toleration Considered 20 The best appearing Success that in this case can be supposed.
1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument ii. 205 The Very Best Sounding Lutes are Pear-Mould.
1791 M. J. Young Family Party I. i. 16 They were the best appearing..girls in the whole city of London.
1814 J. Britton et al. Beauties Eng. & Wales XV. 96 Habitually..to ascribe the best-seeming actions of his fellow-creatures to sordid and corrupt motives.
1936 Pop. Sci. Jan. 74/1 We offer the best-smelling blend of fragrant Kentucky Burleys ever laid before the noses of pipe lovers.
1950 Life 12 June 55 The new Motorola Portables are the..best-sounding little radios you've ever seen or heard.
1994 Bowhunting World Feb. 50/1 Silk... is probably the best-feeling fabric.
2006 M. Nestle What to Eat viii. 95 The best-tasting cheeses are absurdly high in fat.
(ii)
best-looking adj.
ΚΠ
1734 England's Genius 8 Sir, you being the best looking Calf in the Company, I must cut the Meat from your Carcase.
1779 Mirror No. 25. ⁋7 One of the best-looking plow-boys had a yellow cape clapped to his Sunday's coat.
1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott (1839) VIII. 12 The best looking of her daughters.
1933 T. Davis Terror at Compass Lake 111 The best-looking apples have worms in 'em.
2007 P. Crerand Never turn Other Cheek iii. 42 She thought she was god's gift, because she was the best-looking girl in the Gorbals.
(d) Forming parasynthetic adjectives and derived nouns in -ed, with the sense ‘that has the best – –; ‘that is the best – –;’, as best-conditioned, best-graced, best-humoured, best-intentioned, best-minded, best-natured, best-policied, best-principled, best-sighted, best-tempered, etc. Cf. good adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1a(a), well adv. and n.4 Compounds 5.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb] > of its kind
best1485
1485 Croniclis of Englonde (St. Albans) vii. sig. Diiij The wisest men that wer and the best conciencied culd not discerne with whom it wos best to say and hold.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxxv. 11 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 216 Lest the best minded..Bend to abuses.
1608 Bp. J. Hall Characters Vertues & Vices i. 11 Blinde in no mans cause, best-sighted in his owne.
1650 Perfect Diurnall No. 5. 44 It will be good for the present power to oblige and stick to the best affected, and best-principled people.
1690 J. Norris Christian Blessedness 134 He had the Best-natured and most tenderly compassionate Soul in the World.
1746 Fool (1748) II. 64 The universal Outcry, which the best-policied Governments have wisely regarded.
1789 M. Huber in Ld. Auckland's Corr. (1861) II. 326 The two best-intentioned..of their order.
1834 Mirror of Lit. 23 p. iii We must request the reader to accept our best-graced thanks.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes vi. 379 The best-conditioned of Kings!
1863 J. C. Jeaffreson Sir Everard's Daughter 208 The best-natured fellow alive.
1902 W. S. Maugham Mrs. Craddock xi. 109 He was the best-humoured of men, and Bertha's bad temper never disturbed his equilibrium.
2002 New Scientist 14 Dec. 46/2 Jumping spiders have unique eyes that give them acute vision, six times keener than the best-sighted insects.
b. † best-betrust adj. Obsolete that is most to be trusted.In earlier use as a name: see quots. 1592 and 1601.† best consulted adj. Obsolete most prudent; based on the best advice.
ΚΠ
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. B4 Hee that hath no money..must goe dine with sir John Best-betrust at the signe of the Chalke and the Post.
1601 A. Munday Downfall Earle of Huntington sig. K4 And you Lord Ely; and old best betrust.]
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 124 Best-bee-trust-Spies.
best-born adj. (and n.) (a) adj. most well-born; noblest; (b) n. those who are most well-born.In quot. OE used with reference to the elders of Israel.
ΚΠ
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Deut. (Claud.) v. 23 Ða cwædon to me ða ealdras & ða betstborenan men [L. maiores natu].
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1087 Innan þam castele wæron swiðe gode cnihtas: Eustatius..& ealle þa betstboren men þe wæron innan þisan lande oððe on Normandige.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 42 Iason was more and more in the grace of the ladyes, For the best born the most fayre the best accomplisshed..fyxed their loue in hym.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Yorkshire 203 This Earl set forth a small Fleet at his own cost, and adventured his own person therein, being the best born Englishman that ever hazarded himselfe in that kind.
1838 London Q. Rev. Oct. 216/2 The base multitude looked on..while the best-born and bravest contended.
1999 J. McInerney Folds of Parnassos ii. 32 Deflating the claims of those who came ‘from the heart of Athens’ and who claim to be the best-born of the Ionians.
ΚΠ
a1659 F. Osborne Observ. Turks (1673) 288 Queen Elizabeth..the best consulted Monarch that ever filled the English Throne.
1722 M. Concanen Poems Several Occasions 44 Our best consulted Schemes their Pow'r disarms.
best-meaning adj. having the best intentions; most well-meaning.
ΚΠ
1566 A. Rush President for Prince Epist. sig. B.ij Your most vertuous, and best meaning mynde.
1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks II. v. 327 The best-meaning person in the world may err.
1835 Lady's Mag. Mar. 176/1 We cannot help wondering how even the best meaning journalists could lend themselves to mere rumours of menials.
1995 L. Rice Home Fires (1996) vii. 85 Anne didn't necessarily assume that her intentions were malicious. The best-meaning people couldn't help being avid for the details.
best-read adj. (a) (of a person) that is very (or the most) well-read; (b) (of a book, author, etc.) read by the most people.
ΚΠ
1596 T. Lodge Wits Miserie 57 Lilly, the famous for facility in discourse: Spencer, best read in ancient Poetry: Daniel, choise in word, and inuention [etc.].
1696 W. Nicolson Eng. Hist. Libr. I. v. 196 His Chronicle has been the best Read and Liked, of any hitherto publish'd.
1797 S. James Narr. Voy. 43 As to the religion of the natives, even the best read men in the fleet were unable to decide.
1853 M. Howitt tr. F. Bremer Homes of New World I. 43 Longfellow..is perhaps the best read and the most popular of the poets of America.
1867 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighbourhood I. viii. 214 Will better know what is best to know, than the best-read bishop.
1915 J. Turner Let. July in C. Warren Somewhere in France (2019) 17 He is one of the best-read men I have come across.
1986 Family Handyman Nov. 58/1 Among the best-read periodicals here is Builder magazine.
2011 D. Burstein in D. Burstein et al. Tattooed Girl p. xv My mother was one of the best read and most deep-thinking readers I have ever known.
best wisher n. a person who wishes the best for another person or thing; cf. well-wisher n. 1.
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1607 G. Markham First Pt. First Bk. Eng. Arcadia f. 37v Hee began to forsake all companie;..which..was by many of his best wishers infinitely lamented.
1674 M. Scrivener Course Divinity i. xxviii. 118 The Devotion and Bounty of the best Wishers to it [sc. Christs Empire].
1799 A. A. Hutchinson Exhib. of Heart IV. xi. 217 Nor can his best wishers, expressive of true regard, desire this life of ceaseless pain prolonged.
1835 Court Mag. Feb. 88/2 Sir George has assured us that, so far from opposing this festival, he was one of its best wishers.
1844 Edith Leslie II. viii. 279 [He] sought a chair for his fair hostess and best wisher.
1987 Lawrence (Kansas) Jrnl.-World 21 Jan. a4/2 ‘Don't, Gary, don't,’ his best wishers..were imploring the former Democratic front-runner.
C2. Compounds of the adjective.
a. † best work n. Mining Obsolete metal ore of the highest grade or quality.
best bitter n. originally and chiefly British a bitter beer distinguished for its higher quality, strength, etc., esp. from among a range of beers produced by a particular brewer.In quot. 1891 perhaps not a fixed collocation.
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1891 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 123/2 I earnestly pressed him to accept a good wedge of veal and ham pie, and to imbibe a reputed quart of Bass's best bitter.
1894 Derby Mercury 30 May 4/1 (advt.) Best bitter..½-pints at 1/8 per doz.
1969 G. Greene Trav. with my Aunt i. xx. 213 ‘Another double’, ‘Pint of best bitter’, ‘Double pink’.
2001 Mersey Ale (CAMRA) Aug. 17 A pint of Kimberley Best Bitter was found to be excellent.
best end n. British the end of a neck of lamb, mutton, or other meat that consists of the ribs; opposed to scrag-end.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > part or joint of animal > [noun] > neck > best end
best end1631
1631 J. Murrell Two Bks. Cookerie & Carving (ed. 4) ii. 131 Cut away the scragge end of a large neck of Mutton, and put a couple of prickes thorow the best end.
1728 E. Smith Compl. Housewife (ed. 2) 29 To dress a Neck of Mutton. Take the best End..and cut it into Stakes..: Take the Scrag-End of the Mutton, break it in pieces [etc.].
1873 Mrs. H. Wood Master of Greylands III. iv. 89 I could only get the scrag end this morning, aunt: the best end was sold.
1962 House & Garden Nov. 93/1 Crown roast of lamb. Ingredients: 2 best ends of neck (there are usually 6 cutlets in each).
2008 C. Trotter et al. Knife Skills 149 Cut the legs, best end, and loin into chops and cutlets.
best-ever adj. that is the best that has ever been; also as n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best thing or person
highesteOE
bestOE
greatest?c1225
pridec1330
crestc1400
primrosea1450
outrepass1477
A per sea1500
primrose peerless1523
prisec1540
prime1579
surquidry1607
excellency1611
nonsuchc1613
crown jewel1646
top1665
patriarch1700
pièce de résistance1793
number one1825
business1868
resistance piece1870
star1882
mostest1889
koh-i-noor1892
best-ever1905
flagship1933
the end1950
endsville1957
Big Mac1969
mack daddy1993
1905 Spencer (Iowa) Reporter 6 Sept. 1/5 (advt.) Best ever suit at $5.00.
1959 News Chron. 23 Nov. 3/4 Twelve of Duke Ellington's best-ever pop up on..a set of re-issues from the early 'forties.
2000 Evening Standard 22 Dec. (ES Mag.) 24/1 The best-ever England women's team.
best fit n. Mathematics a line on a graph which best illustrates the relationship between a set of points, esp. one drawn so as to minimize the deviations from the line by individual points; frequently attributive.
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1896 K. Pearson in Philos. Trans. 1895 (Royal Soc.) A. 186 385 And this for the simple reason that it would pass into the normal curve, if that curve were itself the best fit.
1922 H. W. Rogers Some Empirical Tests in Vocational Select. v. 30 It is now necessary to obtain the line of regression or the line of best fit in order to predict..her most probable performance in typing from her performance in the tests.
1967 P. McL. D. Duff et al. Cyclic Sedimentation i. 16 The procedure is that of finding a ‘best-fit’ curve for the time series.
2008 T. Kury in F. J. Fabozzi et al. Handbk. Commodity Investing xiv. 342 For the April contract, approximately 40% of the volatilities fall above the best-fit line.
best girl n. (usually with possessive adjective) a female sweetheart, a girlfriend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > one who is loved or a sweetheart > specifically a female sweetheart or girlfriend
lief971
ladya1393
ladyshipa1393
speciala1400
amiec1400
womanc1400
amoreta1425
mistressc1425
paramoura1450
fair ladya1470
girl?a1513
sooterkin1530
Tib1533
she1547
lady-love1568
jug1569
young lady1584
pigeon1592
love-lass1594
lass1596
dowsabel1612
swainling1615
lucky1629
Dulcinea1638
Lindabrides1640
inamorata1651
baby1684
best girl1691
lady friend1733
young woman1822
moll1823
querida1834
sheila1839
bint1855
tart1864
babykins1870
Dona1874
novia1874
fancy-girl1892
girlfriend1892
cliner1895
tootsy1895
dinah1898
best1904
twist and twirl1905
jane1906
kitten1908
patootie1918
meisie1919
bride1924
gf1925
jelly1931
sort1933
a bit (also piece) of homework1945
beast1946
queen1955
momma1964
mi'jita1970
her indoors1979
girlf1991
1691 J. Wilson Belphegor i. iii. 11 And now, my best Girl—Thou hast not forgot, I hope.
1826 M. W. Shelley Last Man II. i. 7 ‘My best girl,’ he had said, ‘relieves me from these phantasies. United to her,..never again shall I know the misery of finding myself alone.’
1887 Texas Siftings 7 May 11/2 You can't convince a young man whose best girl has just said ‘Yes’ that this country is going to wreck and ruin.
1905 H. Holt Sturmsee xix. 194 I don't think he's ever been seriously in love,..but he always must have a best girl.
1944 Sat. Rev. 8 July 16/2 To pluck a bouquet for his best girl.
2007 Uncut Feb. 8/3 Listen to Led Zep's ‘Whole Lotta Love’ with your best girl by your side.
best guess n. originally U.S. a guess that is based on all the knowledge someone has, and is therefore as close to being correct as he or she can make it; the most likely deduction given the available information; (cf. educated guess n. at educated adj. and n. Compounds).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > [noun] > a conjecture, guess > based on knowledge and experience
educated guess1869
best guess1877
1877 11th Rep. Superintendent Public Instr. Illinois 1875–1976 221 I wish every person who reads this page would shut the book and mark in figures his best guess of the number of words..misspelled.
1931 H. S. Williams Bk. Marvels 70 Perhaps the best guess is that they [sc. the craters of the moon] mark the impact of meteorites.
1988 S. Barry Engine of Owl-Light in D. Bolger Picador Bk. Contemp. Irish Fiction (1994) 435 Johnnie kept his shell-blue cap on at all times, because you could see, Moll, that there was no hair to slip down from under it, and the best guess was that he was bald.
2008 New Scientist 22 Nov. 5/2 If current trials prove its worth,..people can slash their risk of catching HIV..by taking one pill a day... The best guess is that it could cut the infection rate by about two-thirds.
best looker n. the most attractive person or thing; cf. good-looker n.
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1821 London Mag. Mar. 272/2 The best fellow I have the happiness to know, is, at the same time, the best dresser and the best looker.
1911 R. W. Chambers Common Law i. 10 There's always something wrong with the best lookers.
1957 Pop. Mech. Nov. 95 Considered by many to be the best looker in the 1957 Chrysler family, Plymouth continues its styling another year.
2012 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 28 July 4 Competing on the dance floor to throw the best moves and pull the best lookers.
best practice n. commercial or professional procedures that are accepted or prescribed as being correct or most effective.
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1927 Pop. Sci. Mar. 27/3 (heading) Can the home builder rely on city plumbing codes to specify best practice?
1984 C. Hitching & D. Stone Understand Accounting! xvi. 315 Some of these have for long been regarded as ‘best practice’, and most have already been defined within the accounting standards.
2010 Independent 5 Nov. (Viewspaper section) 2/2 The new scheme will allow best practice to be easily shared around the country.
best wishes n. an expression of hope for a person's future happiness or welfare, often used formulaically at the end of a letter, card, etc.; also all best wishes; cf. wish n.1 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > good wishes
best wishes1595
wish1597
prayers1600
welfare1642
best1922
1595 Earl of Essex Let. 16 Oct. in Hist. MSS Comm.: 12th Rep.: App. Pt. IX (1891) 173 in Parl. Papers C. 6338-I XLVI. 1 This..is..accompanyed with my best wishes, from your lordship's most affectionate cosin and friend, Essex.
1604 J. Marston Malcontent ii. iii. sig. Dv I shall now leaue yee with all my best wishes.
1735 A. Pope Corr. Nov. (1956) III. 508 Pray tell him my best wishes for his health and long life.
1865 C. Rossetti Let. 7 Jan. in Rossetti-Macmillan Lett. (1963) 37 We reciprocate to you and yours very heartily all best wishes of the season.
1936 D. Thomas Let. 17 June (1987) 230 Let me know all about it, won't you? Best wishes, Dylan.
2005 L. Kellaway Who moved my Blackberry? (2006) ix. 255 Please onpass my best wishes to the charming Randee.
ΚΠ
1852 J. A. Phillips Man. Metall. 395 The first [class of ore], which is composed of the richest and purest fragments, is called best work, and is reserved for a separate mechanical preparation.
1874 J. H. Collins Princ. Metal Mining (1875) xvii. 113 The tributers find it is to their advantage to divide their piles into two, separating the best work from the seconds.
1902 J. Milne Miner's Handbk. (ed. 3) iii. 286 Quality of ores:—Best work 17 per cent. Second class 7 to 8 per cent. Buddle 5 per cent.
b. In noun phrases used attributively.
best-case adj. belonging or relating to the best of a number of possible situations or sets of circumstances; designating such a situation or set of circumstances (frequently with scenario); cf. worst-case adj. at worst adj. and n. Compounds 2.
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the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adjective] > best situation
best-case1972
1972 V. D. Coombs in R. S. Shane Testing for Predict. Material Performance in Struct. & Components 20 The curves of Fig. 6 and Fig. 14 are replotted in Fig. 16 as ‘best case’ and ‘worst case’ limit curves.
1975 Aviation Week 10 Nov. 23/2 Fuel saving ranged from a best-case estimate of $120,911 per airplane per year to a worst-case estimate of $78,556.
2010 Nature 2 Sept. 4/2 In a best-case scenario, crop production is constant, while the worst-case scenario suggests that production could fall by about 20%.
best-quality adj. that is of the highest quality.
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1822 Niles' Weekly Reg. 3 Aug. 354/1 Mr. Moses Mather..has manufactured..six thousands and ninety pounds of the best quality sugar.
1906 Westm. Gaz. 12 Nov. 2/3 It is on the best-quality produce, not the second quality..that the British agriculturalist can make the most money.
1993 Collins Compl. DIY Man. (new ed.) xii. 511/1 Best-quality plywood is used extensively for manufacturing furniture, while the cheaper grades are mostly used for building work.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
bestv.1
/bɛst/, U.S. /bɛst/ Originally British regional.
transitive. To get the better of, to get an advantage over; to outwit. Also: to cheat, defraud; cf. bester n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)]
overcomeeOE
forecomec1000
overwieldlOE
masterc1225
overmaistrie1340
overmatcha1375
overpassa1382
surmount1390
to have the fairer (of)c1400
maistriec1400
overmasterc1425
winc1440
overc1485
bestride1526
rixlec1540
overreach1555
control1567
overmate1567
govern1593
to give (a person) the lurch1598
get1600
to gain cope of1614
top1633
to fetch overa1640
down1641
to have the whip hand (of)1680
carberry1692
to cut down1713
to be more than a match for1762
outflank1773
outmaster1799
outgeneral1831
weather1834
best1839
fore-reach1845
to beat a person at his (also her, etc.) own game1849
scoop1850
euchrec1866
bemaster1871
negotiate1888
to do down1900
to get (someone) wetc1926
lick1946
1839 Ladies' Compan. Apr. 286/1 Winna' we be bested oursel's, and twist the gy about our ain hauses.
1863 C. E. L. Riddell World in Church II. 77 As I am a staunch Churchman I cannot stand quiet and see the Dissenters best the Establishment.
1876 W. Green & C. Hindley Life & Adventures Cheap Jack 234 His game was besting everybody, whether it was for pounds, shillings, or pence.
1877 Famous Horses Amer. 19/2 At the stand the couple were neck and neck, but the Wizard, at the last moment, was ‘bested’ by Starke.
1885 Fortn. Rev. Oct. 578 The quack broker who piles up money by besting his clients.
1939 D. Whipple Priory xxxiii. 399 ‘She's bested me,’ he said. ‘Eh, Mrs. Marwood.’
1966 P. Boyle At Night All Cats are Grey 132 That dog'll never best a brock.
2006 New Yorker 10 July 82/2 If you get great ratings, no matter how much you paid, J. P. will feel you bested him.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
bestv.2
/bɛst/, U.S. /bɛst/ colloquial (originally U.S.). An invariable modal verb, normally complemented by the bare infinitive.
Had best (see best adj. 4b); should.
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1900 V. S. Pease In Wake of War xiii. 153 I'll give you gold, Colonel Grayson, and you best get the rates of premium as you go through Nashville.
1927 E. C. L. Adams Congaree Sketches ix. 16 We best be leffen.
1959 P. Marshall Brown Girl, Brownstones iii. i. 68 You best watch that heavy hand..'cause this is New York and these is New York children and the authorities will dash you in jail for them.
1987 T. Wolfe Bonfire of Vanities xxii. 447 You best be making some friends, you understand?
2013 Liverpool Post (Nexis) 21 Feb. 14 Ah, look at the time, I best go.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.21908
adj.n.1adv.eOE
v.11839v.21900