Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BEST, a. [superlative. Sax. best, contracted from betest, from bet, more, or better; betre is also used; betan, to amend, or restore, correct, heal; bote, reparation, compensation; Eng. boot, to boot; Goth. botyan, to profit, aid, assist; Eng. but; G. bass, good, besser, better, beste, best; D. beter, best; Dan. beste; Sw. bäst. This word has no connection in origin with good. See Better. Literally, most advanced. Hence,]

1. Most good; having good qualities in the highest degree; applied indifferently to physical or moral subjects; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities. This, like most, and other attributes, is often used without its noun, when the noun is obvious; as, men are all sinners; the best of them fail in the performance of duty.
2. Most advanced; most accurate; as, the best scholar.
3. Most correct, or complete; as, the best view of a landscape, or of a subject.
4. The best. This phrase is elliptical, and may be variously interpreted; as, the utmost power; the strongest endeavor; the most, the highest perfection; as, let a man do his best; let him do a thing to the best of his power.
5. At best, in the best manner; in the utmost degree or extent, applicable to the case; as, life is at best very short. To make the best of, to carry to its greatest perfection; to improve to the utmost; as, to make the best of a sum of money, or a piece of land. Also, to permit the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain. The best of the way. We had made the best of our way to the city; that is, the most, the greatest part of the distance. [This is the primary sense of the word.]