worthy

a. [ Compar. Worthier superl. Worthiest. ] [ OE. worthi, wurþi, from worth, wurþ, n.; cf. Icel. verðugr, D. waardig, G. würdig, OHG. wirdīg. See Worth, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Full worthy was he in his lordes war. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

These banished men that I have kept withal
Are men endued with worthy qualities. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

This worthy mind should worthy things embrace. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having suitable, adapted, or equivalent qualities or value; -- usually with of before the thing compared or the object; more rarely, with a following infinitive instead of of, or with that; as, worthy of, equal in excellence, value, or dignity to; entitled to; meriting; -- usually in a good sense, but sometimes in a bad one. [ 1913 Webster ]

No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The merciless Macdonwald,
Worthy to be a rebel. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. Matt. iii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know
More happiness. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lodging is well worthy of the guest. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Of high station; of high social position. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Worthy women of the town. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Worthiest of blood (Eng. Law of Descent), most worthy of those of the same blood to succeed or inherit; -- applied to males, and expressive of the preference given them over females. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]