Best | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Bĕst, a. superl.

adjectivesuperlative

a. superl. [A-S. besta, best, contracted from betest, betst, betsta, Goth. batists, O. H. Ger. pezisto, Ger. best, beste, D. best, Icel. bestr, bezt, Dan. beste, Sw. bäst. This word has no connection in origin with good. See BETTER.]

Sense 1. Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities.

When he is best, he is little more than a man. Shak.

Heaven's last, best gift, my ever-new delight. Milton.

Sense 2. Most advanced; most correct or complete;—as, the best scholar, the best view of a subject.

Bēst, n.

noun

n. Utmost; highest endeavor; as, to do one's best; to the best of our ability.

At best, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; as, life is at best very short.—For best, finally. [Obs.] “Those constitutions . . . are now established for best, and not to be mended.” Milton.—To make the best of. (a.) To improve to the utmost. “Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can make the best of them.” Bacon. (b.) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.

Bĕst, adv.

adverb

adv. 1. In the highest degree; beyond all other; as, to love one best. “That name best befits thee.” Milton. 2. To the most advantage; with the most success, profit, ease, benefit, or propriety. “Had we best retire?” Milton. Much solicitous how best He may compensate for a day of sloth. Cowper. 3. Most intimately or particularly; most thoroughly; as, what is expedient, is best known to himself; the best abused man. Best is sometimes used in composition: as, best-arranged, best-concerted, &c.; but these and similar compounds explain themselves.