Emily Dickinson Lexicon

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.