Worse | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Worse, a.

adjective

(wŭrs), a. [O. Eng. werse, A-S. wyrsa, compar. of weorr, perverse, bad, O. Sax. wirso, O. Fries. wirra, werra, O. H. Ger. wirsero, M. H. Ger. wirser, Icel. werri, Sw. & Dan. värre. As bad has no comparative and superlative, worse and worst are used in lieu of them, although radically they have no relation to bad.] Bad, ill, evil, or corrupt, in a higher degree; more bad or evil; less good; in poorer health; more sick;—used both in a physical and moral sense.

Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. 2 Tim. iii. 13. She was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. Mark v. 26.

There are men who seem to believe they are not bad while another can be found worse. Rambler.

The worse. (a.) Loss; disadvantage. “Judah was put to the worse before Israel.” 2 Kings xiv. 12. (b.) Something less good; as, think not the worse of him for his enterprise.

Worse, adv.

adverb

(wûrs), adv. [A-S. wyrs, wirs, O. Sax., O., & M. H. Ger. wirs, Goth. wairs, Icel. verr.] In a manner more evil or bad. Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. Gen. xix. 9.

Worse, v. t.

verbtransitive

(wûrs), v. t. To make worse; to put to disadvantage; to discomfit; to worst. See WORST.

Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes. Milton.