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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. (a) 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. (b) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To get the better of. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. bäst. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

When he is best, he is a little worse than a man. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best scholar; the best view of a subject. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Most; largest; as, the best part of a week. [ 1913 Webster ]

Best man, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv.; superl. of Well. 1. In the highest degree; beyond all others. “Thou serpent! That name best befits thee.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety. [ 1913 Webster ]

Had we best retire? I see a storm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Had I not best go to her? Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. & p. p. of Bestead. Beset; put in peril. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To stain. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bestarred ] To sprinkle with, or as with, stars; to decorate with, or as with, stars; to bestud. “Bestarred with anemones.” W. Black. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bestead or Bested, also (Obs.) Bestad. In sense 3 imp. also Besteaded. ] [ Pref. be- + stead a place. ] 1. To put in a certain situation or condition; to circumstance; to place. [ Only in p. p. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: . . . and curse their king and their God. Is. viii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many far worse bestead than ourselves. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put in peril; to beset. [ Only in p. p. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. same as defeated.
Syn. -- outdone. [ WordNet 1.5 ]