HOME
SIGN UP LOGIN
https://1828.mshaffer.com
Tuesday - March 19, 2024

In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed... No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
- Preface

1828 Noah Webster Dictionary
  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z   <3

Search, browse, and study this dictionary to learn more about the early American, Christian language.

1828.mshaffer.comWord [better]

0
0
Cite this! Share Definition on Facebook Share Definition on Twitter Simple Definition Word-definition Evolution

better

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: Ex.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. Ps.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.




Evolution (or devolution) of this word [better]

1828 Webster1844 Webster1913 Webster

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: Ex.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. Ps.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.


BET'TER, a. [comp. of Bet. See Best. Sax. bet, more, better; betere, betera, better; Sw. bätter; D. beter; G. besser; D. baat, profit; baaten, to boot, to avail; Sans. bhadra, good. The primary sense is more, or advanced further; and in America, this is a common popular signification. This vessel contains better than half, that is, more than half; he walked better than a mile, that is, more than a mile.]

  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. – Ex. xiv.
  3. More acceptable. To obey is better than sacrifice. – 1 Sam. xv.
  4. More safe. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. – Ps. cxviii.
  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.

  1. 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.
  2. More correctly, or fully; as, to understand a subject better than another.
  3. With superior excellence; as, to write or speak better than another.
  4. 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, 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.


BET'TER, v.t. [Sax. beterian, betrian. See Better.]

  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 can not be bettered. – Hooker. 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
  1. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air.

    Could make the worse appear
    The better reason.
    Milton.

  2. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy.
  3. In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as, Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than recruits.

    I could have better spared a better man.
    Shak.

  4. To improve or ameliorate] to increase the good qualities of.

    Love betters what is best.
    Wordsworth.

    He thought to better his circumstances.
    Thackeray.

  5. To become better; to improve.

    Carlyle.
  6. One who bets or lays a wager.
  7. Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.

    To obey is better than sacrifice.
    1 Sam. xv. 22.

    It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
    Ps. cxviii. 9.

  8. One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.

    Their betters would hardly be found.
    Hooker.

    For the better, in the way of improvement; so as to produce improvement. "If I have altered him anywhere for the better." Dryden.

  9. More correctly or thoroughly.

    The better to understand the extent of our knowledge.
    Locke.

  10. To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise.

    The constant effort of every man to better himself.
    Macaulay.

  11. Greater in amount; larger; more.
  12. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another.

    Never was monarch better feared, and loved.
    Shak.

  13. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.

    The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered.
    Hooker.

  14. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.
  15. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten miles and better.

    [Colloq.]

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

  16. To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.

    [Obs.]

    Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
    May serve to better us and worse our foes.
    Milton.

    Syn. -- To improve; meliorate; ameliorate; mend; amend; correct; emend; reform; advance; promote.

  17. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject.

    All the better. See under All, adv. -- Better half, an expression used to designate one's wife.

    My dear, my better half (said he),
    I find I must now leave thee.
    Sir P. Sidney.

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

    By all that's holy, he had better starve
    Than but once think this place becomes thee not.
    Shak.

1828 Webster1844 Webster1913 Webster

Thank you for visiting!

  • Our goal is to try and improve the quality of the digital form of this dictionary being historically true and accurate to the first American dictionary. Read more ...
  • Below you will find three sketches from a talented artist and friend depicting Noah Webster at work. Please tell us what you think.
Divine Study
  • Divine StudyDivine Study
    Divine Study
Window of Reflection
  • Window of ReflectionWindow of Reflection
    Window of Reflection
Enlightening Grace
  • Enlightening GraceEnlightening Grace
    Enlightening Grace

136

881

101

960

167

990
Better

BET'TER, a comparative 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:Exodus 14:12.

3. More acceptable.

To obey is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22.

4. More safe.

It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8.

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, adverb 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, verb transitive

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, noun 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.

Why 1828?

1
2
 


biblical translation - correct definitions

— Connie (Boswell, PA)

Word of the Day

importance

IMPORT'ANCE, n.

1. Weight; consequence; a bearing on some interest; that quality of any thing by which it may affect a measure, interest or result. The education of youth is of great importance to a free government. A religious education is of infinite importance to every human being.

2. Weight or consequence in the scale of being.

Thy own importance know.

Nor bound thy narrow views to things below.

3. Weight or consequence in self-estimation.

He believes himself a man of importance.

4. Thing implied; matter; subject; importunity. [In these senses, obsolete.]

Random Word

hygrometrical

HYGROMET'RICAL, a. Pertaining to hygrometry; made by or according to the hygrometer.

Noah's 1828 Dictionary

First dictionary of the American Language!

Noah Webster, the Father of American Christian education, wrote the first American dictionary and established a system of rules to govern spelling, grammar, and reading. This master linguist understood the power of words, their definitions, and the need for precise word usage in communication to maintain independence. Webster used the Bible as the foundation for his definitions.

This standard reference tool will greatly assist students of all ages in their studies.

No other dictionary compares with the Webster's 1828 dictionary. The English language has changed again and again and in many instances has become corrupt. The American Dictionary of the English Language is based upon God's written word, for Noah Webster used the Bible as the foundation for his definitions. This standard reference tool will greatly assist students of all ages in their studies. From American History to literature, from science to the Word of God, this dictionary is a necessity. For homeschoolers as well as avid Bible students it is easy, fast, and sophisticated.


Regards,


monte

{x:

Project:: 1828 Reprint










Hard-cover Edition

330

508

Compact Edition

310

217

CD-ROM

262

176

* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well.



[ + ]
Add Search To Your Site


Our goal is to convert the facsimile dictionary (PDF available: v1 and v2) to reprint it and make it digitally available in several formats.

Overview of Project

  1. Image dissection
  2. Text Emulation
  3. Dictionary Formatting
  4. Digital Applications
  5. Reprint

Please visit our friends:

{ourFriends}

Learn more about U.S. patents:

{ourPatent}

Privacy Policy

We want to provide the best 1828 dictionary service to you. As such, we collect data, allow you to login, and we want your feedback on other features you would like.

For details of our terms of use, please read our privacy policy here.

Page loaded in 0.355 seconds. [1828: 25, T:0]


1828 Noah Webster Dictionary

^ return to top
Back to Top