best

Definition

superlative form of good: most good.

Etymology

From Middle English beste, best, from Old English betst, betest, from Proto-Germanic *batistaz. Cognates Cognate with Scots best (“best”), Cimbrian peste, péste (“best”), Dutch best (“best”), German beste (“best”), Yiddish בעסט (best, “best”), Danish bedst (“best”), Faroese bestur (“best”), Icelandic bestur, beztur (“best”), Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk best (“best”), Swedish bäst (“best”), Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐍄𐌹𐍃𐍄𐍃 (batists, “best”).

Example Sentences

• "I can either be your best friend or your worst enemy."
• "[…] when he is beſt, he is a little worſe then a man, and when he is worſt, he is little better than a beaſt:"
• "Heav'ns laſt beſt gift, my ever new delight,"