best

• n. 最好的人，最好的事物；最佳狀態
• adj. 最好的
• adv. 最好地
• vt. 打敗，勝過
• n. (Best)人名；(英、西、德、葡、法)貝斯特

來自古英語betst。bet, 同boot, 好處。-st, 最高級。boot接近於死詞，而作為good最高級。

best

best: [OE] Best and better, the anomalous superlative and comparative of good, go back to a prehistoric Germanic base *bat-, which is related to the archaic English boot ‘remedy’ (as in to boot) and meant generally ‘advantage, improvement’. Its comparative and superlative were *batizon and *batistaz, which came into Old English as respectively betera and betest (gradually reduced via betst to best). The term best man originated in Scotland; it has gradually replaced the earlier bride(s)man and groomsman.
=> better, boot

best (adj.)

Old English beste, reduced by assimilation of -t- from earlier Old English betst "best, first, in the best manner," originally superlative of bot "remedy, reparation," the root word now only surviving in to boot (see boot (n.2)), though its comparative, better, and superlative, best, have been transferred to good (and in some cases well). From Proto-Germanic root *bat-, with comparative *batizon and superlative *batistaz (cognates: Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Middle Dutch best, Old High German bezzist, German best, Old Norse beztr, Gothic batists).

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

[Burns]

Best-seller as short for "best-selling book" is from 1902, apparently originally in the publishing trade; best friend was in Chaucer (late 14c.). Best girl is first attested 1881, American English; best man is 1814, originally Scottish, replacing groomsman. To be able to do something with the best of them is recorded by 1748.

best (v.)

"to get the better of," 1863, from best (adj.). Related: Bested; besting.

best (n.)

c. 1200, from best (adj.).

1. The best thing to do when entering unknown territory is smile.

踏入未知地帶最好的對策就是微笑。

來自美劇《凱莉日記》

2. The happiest are not those who own all the best things, but those who can appreciate the beauty of life.

最幸福的人們並不一定什麽都是最好，隻是他們懂得欣賞生活的美好。

來自金山詞霸 每日一句

3. Some companies are cutting costs and hoping for the best.

有些公司在削減成本，希望一切好轉。

來自柯林斯例句

4. I found myself behind a curtain, necking with my best friend'swife.

我意識到自己在簾子後麵吻著至友的妻子。

來自柯林斯例句

5. "All the best," called the other typists in chorus.

“祝萬事如意，”其他打字員齊聲喊道。

來自柯林斯例句