Part 1083

<blockquote>My dear, my <b>better</b> half (said he), I find I must now leave thee. <i>Sir P. Sidney.</i></blockquote>

-- <col>To be better off</col>, <cd>to be in a better condition.</cd> -- <col>Had better</col>. <cd>(See under <er>Had</er>).</cd> <note>The phrase <i>had better</i>, followed by an infinitive without <i>to</i>, is idiomatic. The earliest form of construction was "were better" with a dative; as, "<i>Him were better</i> go beside." (<i>Gower</i>.) <it>i. e.</it>, It would be better for him, etc. At length the nominative (I, he, they, etc.) supplanted the dative and <i>had</i> took the place of <i>were</i>. Thus we have the construction now used.</note>

<blockquote>By all that's holy, he <b>had better</b> starve Than but once think this place becomes thee not. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote> </cs>

<h1>Better</h1> <Xpage=141>

<hw>Bet"ter</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; <as>as, to get the <ex>better</ex> of an enemy</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.</def>

<blockquote>Their <b>betters</b> would hardly be found. <i>Hooker.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>For the better</col>, <cd>in the way of improvement; so as to produce improvement. "If I have altered him anywhere <i>for the better<i>."</cd></cs>

<i>Dryden.</i>

<h1>Better</h1> <Xpage=141>

<hw>Bet"ter</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt>; <tt>compar.</tt> of <er>Well</er>. <p><b>1.</b> <def>In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; <as>as, Henry writes <ex>better</ex> than John; veterans fight <ex>better</ex> than recruits.</as></def>

<blockquote>I could have <b>better</b> spared a better man. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>More correctly or thoroughly.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>better</b> to understand the extent of our knowledge. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>In a higher or greater degree; more; <as>as, to love one <ex>better</ex> than another</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Never was monarch <b>better</b> feared, and loved. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; <as>as, ten miles and <ex>better</ex></as>.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<cs><col>To think better of</col> (any one), <cd>to have a more favorable opinion of any one.</cd> -- <col>To think better of</col> (an opinion, resolution, etc.), <cd>to reconsider and alter one's decision.</cd></cs>

<h1>Better</h1> <Xpage=141>

<hw>Bet"ter</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Bettered</er> <tt>(#)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Bettering</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[AS. <ets>beterian</ets>, <ets>betrian</ets>, fr. <ets>betera</ets> better. See <er>Better</er>, <tt>a.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of.</def>

<blockquote>Love <b>betters</b> what is best. <i>Wordsworth.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>He thought to <b>better</b> his circumstances. <i>Thackeray.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise.</def>

<blockquote>The constant effort of every man to <b>better</b> himself. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.</def>

<blockquote>The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be <b>bettered</b>. <i>Hooker.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to <b>better</b> us and worse our foes. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>