What is "best"

Best \Best\ (b[e^]st), a.; superl. of Good. [AS. besta, best, contr. from betest, betst, betsta; akin to Goth. batists, OHG. pezzisto, G. best, beste, D. best, Icel. beztr, Dan. best, Sw. b["a]st. This word has no connection in origin with good. See Better.]

1. Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good, kind, desirable, suitable, etc.; most excellent; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities.

   When he is best, he is a little worse than a man.
   --Shak.

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

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

3. Most; largest; as, the best part of a week.

   Best man, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony.

Best \Best\, adv.; superl. of Well.

1. In the highest degree; beyond all others. ``Thou serpent! That name best befits thee.''
   --Milton.

   He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small.
   --Coleridge.

2. To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety.

   Had we best retire? I see a storm.
   --Milton.

   Had I not best go to her?
   --Thackeray.

3. Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself.

Best \Best\, n. Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our ability. At best, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most favorable circumstances; 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 get the best of, to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly. To make the best of.

1. To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage. ``Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can make the best of them.''
   --Bacon.

2. To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.

Best \Best\, v. t. To get the better of. [Colloq.]

Good \Good\, a. [Compar. Better; superl. Best. These words, though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS. g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god, Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. Gather.]

1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.

   And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
   --Gen. i. 31.

   Good company, good wine, good welcome.
   --Shak.

2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions.

   In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
   --Tit. ii. 7.

3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.

   The men were very good unto us.
   --1 Sam. xxv. 15.

4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for.

   All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.
   --Collier.

5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at.

   He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
   --Shak.

   Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
   --South.

6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.

   My reasons are both good and weighty.
   --Shak.

   My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
   --Shak.

7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.

   Love no man in good earnest.
   --Shak.

8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.

9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.

   Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
   --Luke vi. 38.

10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc. A good name is better than precious ointment. --Eccl. vii.

    1. As good as. See under As. For good, or For good and all, completely and finally; fully; truly. The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all. --L'Estrange. Good breeding, polite or polished manners, formed by education; a polite education. Distinguished by good humor and good breeding. --Macaulay. Good cheap, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap. Good consideration (Law).

       1. A consideration of blood or of natural love and affection.
          --Blackstone.

       2. A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a contract. Good fellow, a person of companionable qualities. Good folk, or Good people, fairies; brownies; pixies, etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.] Good for nothing.

          1. Of no value; useless; worthless.

          2. Used substantively, an idle, worthless person. My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing. --Ld. Lytton. Good Friday, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion. Good humor, or Good-humor, a cheerful or pleasant temper or state of mind. Good humor man, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence. Good nature, or Good-nature, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor. The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character. --Macaulay. The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics. --Hawthorne. Good people. See Good folk (above). Good speed, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old form of wishing success. See Speed. Good turn, an act of kidness; a favor. Good will.

             1. Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling.

             2. (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and others, to resort to an established place of business; the advantage accruing from tendency or inclination. The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place. --Lord Eldon. In good time.

                1. Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor too late.

                2. (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time.

                   To hold good, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the condition still holds good.

                   To make good, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to clear; to vindicate.

                   Each word made good and true.
                   --Shak.

                   Of no power to make his wishes good.
                   --Shak.

                   I . . . would by combat make her good.
                   --Shak.

                   Convenient numbers to make good the city.
                   --Shak.

                   To think good, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper.

                   If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.
                   --Zech. xi. 1

    2. Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night, good evening, good morning, etc.

Old English beste, reduced by assimilation of -t- from earlier Old English betst "best, first, in the best manner," originally superlative of bot "remedy, reparation," the root word now only surviving in to boot (see boot (n.2)), though its comparative, better, and superlative, best, have been transferred to good (and in some cases well). From Proto-Germanic root *bat-, with comparative *batizon and superlative *batistaz (cognates: Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Middle Dutch best, Old High German bezzist, German best, Old Norse beztr, Gothic batists).\n\nThe best-laid schemes o' mice an' men\n
Gang aft agley,\n
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,\n
For promis'd joy!\n

[Burns]

"to get the better of," 1863, from best (adj.). Related: Bested; besting.\n

c.1200, from best (adj.).

1. (en-superlativegood). adv. 1 (en-superlative of well POS=adverb) 2 To the most advantage; with the most success, cause, profit, benefit, or propriety. n. (context uncountable English) The supreme effort one can make, or has made. v

2. 1 to surpass in skill or achievement. 2 (context transitive English) To beat in a contest;

1. adj. in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; "appears to be entirely well"; "the wound is nearly well"; "a well man"; "I think I'm well; at least I feel well" [ant: ill]

2. resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there"; "it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: good, well(p)]

3. wise or advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be well to start early" [syn: well(p)]

4. [also: better, best]

1. n. a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine

2. a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid

3. an abundant source; "she was a well of information" [syn: wellspring, fountainhead]

4. an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)

5. an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps

6. [also: better, best]

1. v. come up; "Tears well in her eyes" [syn: swell]

2. [also: better, best]

See well

1. n. the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best" [ant: worst]

2. the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others; "he could beat the best of them" [syn: topper]

3. Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978) [syn: C. H. Best, Charles Herbert Best]

1. adj. (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities; "the best film of the year"; "the best solution"; "the best time for planting"; "wore his best suit" [ant: worst]

2. (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to respond" [syn: better(p), best(p)]

v. get the better of; "the goal was to best the competition" [syn: outdo, outflank, trump, scoop]

1. adv. (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty good" [syn: good] [ant: ill]

2. thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form; "The problem is well understood"; "she was well informed"; "shake well before using"; "in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked"; "well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers"; "well-educated"

3. indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "I might well do it"; "a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster"; "you may well need your umbrella"; "he could equally well be trying to deceive us" [syn: easily]

4. (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully; "a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might be going on"

5. to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree; "the project was well underway"; "the fetus has well developed organs"; "his father was well pleased with his grades"

6. favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of them"; "he thought well of the book" [ant: ill]

7. to a great extent or degree; "I'm afraid the film was well over budget"; "painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger"; "the house has fallen considerably in value"; "the price went up substantially" [syn: considerably, substantially]

8. with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them well" [syn: intimately]

9. with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say nothing more"; "could not well refuse"

10. with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he writes well" [ant: badly]

11. in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married well"; "The children were settled advantageously in Seattle" [syn: advantageously] [ant: badly, badly]

12. in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died" [syn: comfortably]

13. without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor; "took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well" [ant: badly]

14. [also: better, best]

1. adv. in a most excellent way or manner; "he played best after a couple of martinis"

2. it would be sensible; "you'd best stay at home"

3. from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows best"; "I know better." [syn: better]

See good

1. n. benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?"

2. moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be found in people" [syn: goodness] [ant: evil, evil]

3. that which is good or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization" [syn: goodness] [ant: bad, bad]

4. [also: better, best]

1. adj. having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table"; "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the office" [ant: bad]

2. having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure"; "gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" [syn: full]

3. morally admirable [ant: evil]

4. deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name" [syn: estimable, honorable, respectable]

5. promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good for her" [syn: beneficial]

6. superior to the average; "in fine spirits"; "a fine student"; "made good grades"; "morale was good"; "had good weather for the parade" [syn: fine]

7. agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good manners"

8. of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just cause"; "an upright and respectable man"; "the life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous"- Frederick Douglass [syn: just, upright, virtuous]

9. having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer"; "the effect was achieved by skillful retouching" [syn: adept, expert, practiced, proficient, skillful, skilful]

10. thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good cleaning"

11. with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear" [syn: dear, near]

12. having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile"; "a benevolent nature" [syn: benevolent] [ant: malevolent]

13. financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure investment" [syn: dependable, safe, secure]

14. most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the time is ripe for great sociological changes" [syn: right, ripe]

15. resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there"; "it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: well(p)]

16. exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: effective, in effect(p), in force(p)]

17. feeling healthy and free of aches and pains; "I feel good" [syn: good(p)]

18. capable of pleasing; "good looks"

19. appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn: serious]

20. in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body" [syn: sound]

21. tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air" [syn: beneficial, salutary]

22. not forged; "a good dollar bill"

23. not left to spoil; "the meat is still good" [syn: unspoiled, unspoilt]

24. generally admired; "good taste"

25. [also: better, best]

Best or The Best may refer to:

Best is the first Japanese compilation album and sixth overall album release by Mika Nakashima. It contains 14 songs. Two new re-recordings were made: one of her first single, 'Stars,' and the other of 'Amazing Grace (05),' the latter of which was included in a Suntory commercial for Freixnet Champagne and made as a radio-only single to promote the album in Japan.

A music video compilation, also called 'BEST,' was released in Japan and Southeast Asia in December 2005. It contains the music videos for all of Mika's first 18 singles – from 'Stars' to 'Glamorous Sky' – and the promotional videos for 'Amazing Grace (05)' and a previously unreleased live recording of the song 'Blood.'

Best debuted at #1 in the Japan Oricon 200 Album Chart when it was released, selling 480,097 copies in its first week – bettering the first-week sales of her first album, True. It was the #5 album of 2006.

Since its release, BEST has sold 1,204,996 copies. Therefore, BEST is the second best-selling album in Mika's career only to Love, outselling True by over 30,000 copies.

Best is the second live album performed by saxophonist Kenny G, featuring a very similar track listing to The Essential Kenny G. The only difference is Track 15, which is a Mandarin version of "Be My Lady", replacing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". It was released by Sony BMG in 2006.

BEST is Chicosci's first compilation album, consisting of tracks from albums Revenge of the Giant Robot and Method Of Breathing. Chicosci has since left the record label when the album was released.

Best is a 2000 British film portraying the football career of the Northern Irish soccer star George Best, particularly his years spent at Manchester United. It was directed by Mary McGuckian.

Artur Paulo Oliveira da Silva (born 24 December 1968 in Guimarães), known as Best, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

BEEEEEEST is the final compilation album from the Japanese rock band HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR to feature Mākii, the lead female vocalist of the group.

Best, a compilation album by Texas-based Folk singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen, released by Koch Records on November 7, 2006. The album features songs from six of Keen's previous albums: No Kinda Dancer, A Bigger Piece of Sky, No. 2 Live Dinner, Farm Fresh Onions, What I Really Mean, and Live at the Ryman.

Best is an English, Irish, Dutch, French, Scottish & Scotch-Irish surname. In England the surname is of Anglo-Norman origin meaning the beast (beste). People with this surname:

• Adolfo "Fito" Best (1891–1964), Mexican painter, film director and screenwriter
• Adam Best (1983), actor
• Ahmed Best (born 1973), American voice actor
• Alan Best (animator) (born 1959), Canadian animator
• Alan Best (sculptor) (1910–2001), Canadian sculptor
• Alfred M. Best (1876–1958), American actuary
• Alonzo L. Best (1854-1923), American politician
• Andy Best (born 1959), former British footballer
• Art Best (1953–2014), American football player
• Ben Best ( cryonicist)
• Ben Best (actor)
• Calum Best (born 1981), TV personality, son of George Best
• Carlisle Best (born 1959), former West Indian cricketer
• Charles Alexander "Sandy" Best (1931–1978), Canadian politician
• Charles Herbert Best (1899–1978), American/Canadian physiologist
• Clarence Leo Best (1878–1951), founder and chairman of Caterpillar Tractor Company
• Clyde Best (born 1951), former Bermudan footballer
• Daniel Best (1838–1923), founder of Best Manufacturing Company that made tractors and combine harvesting machines
• David Best (sculptor) (born 1945), American sculptor
• David Best (footballer) (born 1943), former English footballer
• David Best (Manitoba politician) (1880–??)
• Denzil Best (1917–1965), American jazz percussionist
• Earl Best (born 1947), American community organizer known as the "Street Doctor"
• Elsdon Best (1856–1931), New Zealand ethnographer
• Eve Best (born 1971), British stage actress
• George Best (1946 – 2005), Northern Irish football player
• Greg Best (born 1964), American equestrian competior and coach
• Greg Best (American football) (born 1960), American football defensive back
• Harold Best (born 1937), British Labour Party politician
• James Best (1926–2015), American actor
• Jacob Best, (1786–1861), family patriarch and founder of the Pabst Brewing Company
• John William Best (1912–2000), Royal Air Force pilot who was a POW in Colditz Castle during World War II
• John Best (politician) (1821–1865), British politician
• John Best (soccer) (1940–2014), former US/English soccer player
• John Best (guard captain), Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
• John Best (bishop) (died 1570), Bishop of Carlisle 1560–70
• John Best (basketball), New Jersey Nets player
• John Best (Canadian politician) (1861–1923), Canadian politician
• John Best (rugby), New Zealand All Blacks player
• Keith Best (born 1949), British Conservatiove party politician
• Leon Best (born 1986), Irish international footballer
• Marion Best, Canadian church leader
• Marjorie Best (1903–1997), American Hollywood costume designer
• Martin Best (born 1942) musician in ballads and early music
• Mary Ellen Best (1809–1891), artist
• Matthew Best (Royal Navy officer) (1878–1940), Royal Navy officer
• Matthew Best (conductor) (born 1957), English bass and conductor
• Neil Best (born 1979), Irish rugby union international
• Paul Best (cricketer) (born 1991), English cricketer
• Pete Best (born 1941), original drummer for The Beatles
• Peter Best (born 1943), Australian film composer
• Richard Irvine Best (1872–1959), Irish scholar
• Richard Stuart Best (born 1945), member of House of Lords
• Robert Henry Best (1896–1952), convicted of treason in 1948
• Rory Best (born 1982), Irish rugby union international
• Sigismund Payne Best (1885–1978), British Secret Intelligence Service agent
• Simon Best (born 1978), Irish rugby union international
• Skeeter Best (1914–1985), American jazz guitarist
• Stephanie Best (born 1969), American track and field athlete
• Steven Best (born 1955), American animal rights activist
• Tommy Best (born 1920), Welsh footballer
• Tino Best (born 1981), West Indian cricketer
• Travis Best (born 1972), American professional basketball player
• Werner Best (1903–1989), German jurist, police chief and SS–Obergruppenführer
• William Best, 1st Baron Wynford (1767–1845), British politician and judge

Origins:

Irish, English, French, Dutch

History:

Derived from the Old English/Old French word "beste", or the Latin "bestia", meaning beast. The surname Best may be a metonym referring to one employed as a herdsman. First found in Kent, they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Some of the first settlers to the Americas were Christopher Best, who settled in Virginia in 1623, John Best, who settled in New England in 1634, Thomas Best, who settled in Virginia in 1635, and William Best, who settled in Virginia in 1643.

Best is a 1986 compilation album by Akina Nakamori. It was No.1 in the Japan album chart for 3 weeks.

'BEST ' is the second compilation Japanese album by South Korean girl group After School released on March 18, 2015 under Avex Trax. The album contains all of After School's Japanese singles. The limited edition comes in 2 versions with a DVD featuring After School 2nd Japan Tour Dress To Shine and also a DVD featuring all of After School's Japanese music videos up to 2014. The regular edition comes in CD-only version.