Better

Better - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

BET'TER, a comp. of bet. See Best.]

1. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; applied to physical, acquired or moral qualities; as a better soil, a better man, a better physician, a better house, a better air, a better harvest.

2. More advantageous.

Were it not better for us to return to Egypt: Exo 14.

3. More acceptable.

To obey is better than sacrifice. 1 Sam 15.

4. More safe.

It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. Psa 118.

5. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.

6. To be better off, to be in a better condition. Beddoes,Hygeia. This is a very common phrase; but ought not off, to be of? It is not elegant.

7. To have the better, is to have the advantage or superiority, followed by of before him or that over which the advantage is enjoyed; as, the English had the better of the Spaniards.

8. To get or gain the better, is to obtain the advantage, superiority or victory; as, to get the better of an enemy.

9. For the better, is for the advantage or improvement.

BET'TER, adv. In a more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, virtue, advantage or success; as, to perform work better; to plan a scheme better; land better cultivated; laws better executed; government better administered.

1. More correctly, or fully; as, to understand a subject better than another.

2. With superior excellence; as, to write or speak better than another.

3. With more affection; in a higher degree; as, to love one better than another.

It is not easy to specify and exemplify the various applications of better. In general,it implies what is more excellent, advantageous, useful, or virtuous, than something else.

BET'TER, v.t.

1. To improve; to meliorate; to increase the good qualities of; as, manure betters land; discipline may better the morals.

2. To surpass; to exceed.

The works of nature do always aim at that which cannot be bettered.

Qu.is not the sense, made better:

3. To advance; to support; to give advantage to; as, to better a party; to better a cause.

BET'TER, n. A superior; one who has a claim to precedence on account of his rank, age, or office; as, give place to your betters. It is generally or always used in the plural.