Chapter Bestrode to Better of B by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

All the better

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

My dear, my better half
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.

Better
(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." Dryden.

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 to have a more favorable opinion of any one. — To think better of to reconsider and alter one's decision.

Better
(Bet"ter) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bettered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bettering.] [AS. beterian, betrian, fr. betera better. See Better, a.]

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.