bet·ter /ˈbɛtɚ/
 (a.)較好的,更好的,康復的(ad.)更好地,更優地,更出色地更好的人或物
 Bet·ter v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bettered p. pr. & vb. n. Bettering.]
 1. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of.
    Love betters what is best.   --Wordsworth.
    He thought to better his circumstances.   --Thackeray.
 2. To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise.
    The constant effort of every man to better himself.   --Macaulay.
 3. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
    The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered.   --Hooker.
 4. 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.
 Bet·ter a.; compar. of Good.
 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. 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.
 3. Greater in amount; larger; more.
 4. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.
 5. 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).
 Note: 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.
 Bet·ter, n.
 1. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy.
 2. 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.”
 Bet·ter, adv.; compar. of Well.
 1. 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.
 2. More correctly or thoroughly.
    The better to understand the extent of our knowledge.   --Locke.
 3. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another.
    Never was monarch better feared, and loved.   --Shak.
 4. 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.
 Bet·ter, v. i. To become better; to improve.
 Bet·ter, n. One who bets or lays a wager.
 ◄ ►
 Good a. [Compar. Better superl. Best These words, though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are from a different root.]
 1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.
    And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.   --Gen. i. 31.
    Good company, good wine, good welcome.   --Shak.
 2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions.
    In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.   --Tit. ii. 7.
 3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.
    The men were very good unto us.   --1 Sam. xxv. 15.
 4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for.
    All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.   --Collier.
 5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at.
    He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.   --Shak.
    Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.   --South.
 6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.
    My reasons are both good and weighty.   --Shak.
    My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.   --Shak.
 7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
    Love no man in good earnest.   --Shak.
 8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.
 9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
    Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.   --Luke vi. 38.
 10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc.
    A good name is better than precious ointment.   --Eccl. vii. 1.
 As good as. See under As.
 For good, or For good and all, completely and finally; fully; truly.
    The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.   --L'Estrange.
 -- Good breeding, polite or polished manners, formed by education; a polite education.
    Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.   --Macaulay.
 -- Good cheap, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap.
 -- Good consideration Law. (a) A consideration of blood or of natural love and affection. --Blackstone. (b) A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a contract.
 Good fellow, a person of companionable qualities. [Familiar]
 Good folk, or Good people, fairies; brownies; pixies, etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.]
 Good for nothing. (a) Of no value; useless; worthless. (b) Used substantively, an idle, worthless person.
    My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing.   --Ld. Lytton.
 -- Good Friday, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion.
 Good humor, or Good-humor, a cheerful or pleasant temper or state of mind.
 Good humor man, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence. [U. S.]
 Good nature, or Good-nature, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor.
    The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character.   --Macaulay.
    The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics.   --Hawthorne.
 -- Good people. See Good folk (above).
 Good speed, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old form of wishing success. See Speed.
 Good turn, an act of kidness; a favor.
 Good will. (a) Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling. (b) Law The custom of any trade or business; the tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and others, to resort to an established place of business; the advantage accruing from tendency or inclination.
    The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place.   --Lord Eldon.
 -- In good time. (a) Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor too late. (b) Mus. Correctly; in proper time.
 To hold good, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the condition still holds good.
 To make good, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to clear; to vindicate.
    Each word made good and true.   --Shak.
    Of no power to make his wishes good.   --Shak.
    I . . . would by combat make her good.   --Shak.
    Convenient numbers to make good the city.   --Shak.
 -- To think good, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper.
    If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.   --Zech. xi. 12.
 Note: ☞ Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night, good evening, good morning, etc.
 well
      adj 1: in good health especially after having suffered illness or
             injury; "appears to be entirely well"; "the wound is
             nearly well"; "a well man"; "I think I'm well; at
             least I feel well" [ant: ill]
      2: resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there";
         "it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
         you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: good, well(p)]
      3: wise or advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be well
         to start early" [syn: well(p)]
      n 1: a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil
           or gas or brine
      2: a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
      3: an abundant source; "she was a well of information" [syn: wellspring,
          fountainhead]
      4: an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a
         stairway)
      5: an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding
         something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for
         protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
      adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
             satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
             nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the
             children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party
             went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis";
             "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
             good" [syn: good] [ant: ill]
      2: thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining
         form; "The problem is well understood"; "she was well
         informed"; "shake well before using"; "in order to avoid
         food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked";
         "well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers";
         "well-educated"
      3: indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "I might
         well do it"; "a mistake that could easily have ended in
         disaster"; "you may well need your umbrella"; "he could
         equally well be trying to deceive us" [syn: easily]
      4: (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully;
         "a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the
         difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might
         be going on"
      5: to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree; "the project
         was well underway"; "the fetus has well developed organs";
         "his father was well pleased with his grades"
      6: favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of
         them"; "he thought well of the book" [ant: ill]
      7: to a great extent or degree; "I'm afraid the film was well
         over budget"; "painting the room white made it seem
         considerably (or substantially) larger"; "the house has
         fallen considerably in value"; "the price went up
         substantially" [syn: considerably, substantially]
      8: with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them
         well" [syn: intimately]
      9: with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say
         nothing more"; "could not well refuse"
      10: with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he
          writes well" [ant: badly]
      11: in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married
          well"; "The children were settled advantageously in
          Seattle" [syn: advantageously] [ant: badly, badly]
      12: in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able
          to live comfortably since her husband died" [syn: comfortably]
      13: without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
          "took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well" [ant: badly]
      v : come up; "Tears well in her eyes" [syn: swell]
      [also: better, best]
 better
      See well
 better
      adj 1: (comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same
             class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or
             desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than
             another; "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din";
             "a better coat"; "a better type of car"; "a suit with
             a better fit"; "a better chance of success"; "produced
             a better mousetrap"; "she's better in math than in
             history" [ant: worse]
      2: (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or
         fitness; "her health is better now"; "I feel better" [ant:
          worse]
      3: (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more
         advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to
         speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to
         respond" [syn: better(p), best(p)]
      4: more than half; "argued for the better part of an hour"
      n 1: one having claim to precedence; a superior; "the common man
           has been kept in his place by his betters"
      2: someone who bets [syn: bettor, wagerer, punter]
      3: the superior one of two alternatives; "chose the better of
         the two"
      adv 1: comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner
             or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater
             degree etc.; "She had never sung better"; "a deed
             better left undone"; "better suited to the job"
      2: from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows
         best"; "I know better." [syn: best]
      v 1: surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break
           a record" [syn: break]
      2: to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his
         changes" [syn: improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate]
         [ant: worsen]
      3: get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn: improve,
          ameliorate, meliorate] [ant: worsen]
 better
      See good
 good
      adj 1: having desirable or positive qualities especially those
             suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the
             hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good
             she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for
             cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table";
             "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior
             paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the
             office" [ant: bad]
      2: having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure";
         "gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" [syn: full]
      3: morally admirable [ant: evil]
      4: deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies
         give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name" [syn: estimable,
          honorable, respectable]
      5: promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation
         agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial
         effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good
         for her" [syn: beneficial]
      6: superior to the average; "in fine spirits"; "a fine
         student"; "made good grades"; "morale was good"; "had good
         weather for the parade" [syn: fine]
      7: agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good
         manners"
      8: of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just
         cause"; "an upright and respectable man"; "the life of the
         nation is secure only while the nation is honest,
         truthful, and virtuous"- Frederick Douglass [syn: just,
         upright, virtuous]
      9: having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept
         in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a
         good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient
         engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer";
         "the effect was achieved by skillful retouching" [syn: adept,
          expert, practiced, proficient, skillful, skilful]
      10: thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good
          cleaning"
      11: with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good
          friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"
          [syn: dear, near]
      12: having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the
          welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile";
          "a benevolent nature" [syn: benevolent] [ant: malevolent]
      13: financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure
          investment" [syn: dependable, safe, secure]
      14: most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good
          time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the
          time is ripe for great sociological changes" [syn: right,
           ripe]
      15: resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there";
          "it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
          you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: well(p)]
      16: exerting force or influence; "the law is effective
          immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law
          is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: effective, in
          effect(p), in force(p)]
      17: feeling healthy and free of aches and pains; "I feel good"
          [syn: good(p)]
      18: capable of pleasing; "good looks"
      19: appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn:
          serious]
      20: in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have
          one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body" [syn: sound]
      21: tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to
          health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good
          night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air"
          [syn: beneficial, salutary]
      22: not forged; "a good dollar bill"
      23: not left to spoil; "the meat is still good" [syn: unspoiled,
           unspoilt]
      24: generally admired; "good taste"
      n 1: benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?"
      2: moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be
         found in people" [syn: goodness] [ant: evil, evil]
      3: that which is good or valuable or useful; "weigh the good
         against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are
         happiness and self-realization" [syn: goodness] [ant: bad,
          bad]
      adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
             satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
             nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the
             children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party
             went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis";
             "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
             good" [syn: well] [ant: ill]
      2: in a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used
         informally for `thoroughly'); "he was soundly defeated";
         "we beat him good" [syn: thoroughly, soundly]
      [also: better, best]