worsestadj.

1563 T. Becon Reliques of Rome (rev. ed.) Pref. sig. A.2 We haue euidentlye shewed, that the greater parte in matters that appertayne to Christes Religion, is alwayes the worsest parte.

1613 N. Breton Answer in Vncasing Machiuils Instr. sig. G2^v Let no mans name at all be wrong'd by thee, The worsest euill, euer thine will be.

1698 J. Crull tr. S. von Pufendorf Of Nature & Qualification of Relig. 91 The worsest sort of Slavery must be introduced, worse than that whereof Tacitus complains in his time.

1796 Livre en Quatre Langues 269/2 The worsest Wheel on a Chariot makes the greatest noise.

1838 Bentley's Misc. 3 104 But a laughing woman, with two bright eyes, Is the worsest devil of all.

1867 Ballou's Monthly Mag. July 80/2 O pa, I have just seen one of the worsest dog fights as was ever seen or hearn tell of in the world.

1905 ‘B. St. Luz’ Black Butterflies xix. 251 You has rumpled Maudie's best frock, and is the worsest mans,..the worsest mans I never did saw.

1967 H. Orton & M. F. Wakelin Surv. Eng. Dial. IV. ii. 740 Mumps are bad, diphtheria is worse, but smallpox is easily the... [Kent]wəːɹsıst.

1982 J. A. Holm & A. W. Shilling Dict. Bahamian Eng. 224/2 Tha's the worsest I ever see him look.

1983 Associated Press Newswire (Nexis) 8 July If I do not carry out this vow to Thee,..then bring upon me the worsest of curses here in Thy word.

1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey Wodds & Doggerybaw: Lincs. Dial. Dict. 348/2 It war the worsest storm A've ivver seen in all me born daãys.

2004 D. Fried Tongue in Sink ix. 190 Mercy sakes, child, I know them Ritus boys and that Arthur is the worsest one!