Part 1073

<hw>Best</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; <as>as, to do one's <ex>best</ex>; to the <ex>best</ex> of our ability.</as></def>

<cs><col>At best</col>, <cd>in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is <i>at best<i> very short.</cd> -- <col>For best</col>, <cd>finally.</cd> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "Those constitutions . . . are now established <i>for best<i>, and not to be mended." <i>Milton</i>. -- <col>To get the best o</col><cd>f, to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly.</cd> -- <col>To make the best of</col>. <sd>(a)</sd> <cd>To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage.</cd> "Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can <i>make the best of<i> them." <i>Bacon</i>. <sd>(b)</sd> <cd>To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to <i>make the best of<i> ill fortune or a bad bargain.</cd></cs>

<h1>Best</h1> <Xpage=140>

<hw>Best</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt>; <tt>superl.</tt> of <er>Well</er>. <p><b>1.</b> <def>In the highest degree; beyond all others.</def> "Thou serpent! That name <i>best</i> befits thee."

<i>Milton.</i>

<blockquote>He prayeth <b>best</b>, who loveth <b>best</b> All things both great and small. <i>Coleridge.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety.</def>

<blockquote>Had we <b>best</b> retire? I see a storm. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Had I not <b>best</b> go to her? <i>Thackeray.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; <as>as, what is expedient is <ex>best</ex> known to himself</as>.</def>

<h1>Best</h1> <Xpage=140>

<hw>Best</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To get the better of.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<h1>Bestad</h1> <Xpage=140>

<hw>Be*stad"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> of <er>Bestead</er>. <def>Beset; put in peril.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Bestain</h1> <Xpage=140>

<hw>Be*stain"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To stain.</def>

<h1>Bestar</h1> <Xpage=140>

<hw>Be*star"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Bestarred</er> <tt>(#)</tt>.]</wordforms> <def>To sprinkle with, or as with, stars; to decorate with, or as with, stars; to bestud.</def> "<i>Bestarred</i> with anemones."

<i>W. Black.</i>

<h1>Bestead</h1> <Xpage=140>

<hw>Be*stead"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Bestead</er> or <er>Bested</er>, also <mark>(Obs.)</mark> <er>Bestad</er>. In sense 3 <i>imp.</i> also <er>Besteaded</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[Pref. <ets>be-</ets> + <ets>stead</ets> a place.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To put in a certain situation or condition; to circumstance; to place.</def> <mark>[Only in p. p.]</mark>

<blockquote>They shall pass through it, hardly <b>bestead</b> and hungry: . . . and curse their king and their God. <i>Is. viii. 21.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Many far worse <b>bestead</b> than ourselves. <i>Barrow.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To put in peril; to beset.</def> <note>[Only in p. p.]</note>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail.</def>

<i>Milton.</i>