W — Worsen to Wound (Part 1 of 7)

Worsen
(Wors"en) v. t.

1. To make worse; to deteriorate; to impair.

It is apparent that, in the particular point of which we have been conversing, their condition is greatly worsened.

Southey.

2. To get the better of; to worst. [R.]

Worsen
(Wors"en), v. i. To grow or become worse. De Quincey.

Indifferent health, which seemed rather to worsen than improve.

Carlyle.

Worser
(Wors"er) a. Worse. [R.]

Thou dost deserve a worser end.

Beau. & Fl.

From worser thoughts which make me do amiss.

Bunyan.

A dreadful quiet felt, and, worser far
Than arms, a sullen interval of war.

Dryden.

This old and redundant form of the comparative occurs occasionally in the best authors, although commonly accounted a vulgarism. It has, at least, the analogy of lesser to sanction its issue. See Lesser. "The experience of man's worser nature, which intercourse with ill-chosen associates, by choice or circumstance, peculiarly teaches." Hallam.

Worship
(Wor"ship) n. [OE. worshipe, wurðscipe, AS. weorðscipe; weorð worth + -scipe -ship. See Worth, a., and - ship.]

1. Excellence of character; dignity; worth; worthiness. [Obs.] Shak.

A man of worship and honour.

Chaucer.

Elfin, born of noble state,
And muckle worship in his native land.

Spenser.

2. Honor; respect; civil deference. [Obs.]

Of which great worth and worship may be won.

Spenser.

Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Luke xiv. 10.

3. Hence, a title of honor, used in addresses to certain magistrates and others of rank or station.

My father desires your worships' company.

Shak.

4. The act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; religious reverence and homage; adoration, or acts of reverence, paid to God, or a being viewed as God. "God with idols in their worship joined." Milton.

The worship of God is an eminent part of religion, and prayer is a chief part of religious worship.

Tillotson.

5. Obsequious or submissive respect; extravagant admiration; adoration.

'T is your inky brows, your black silk hair,
Your bugle eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream,
That can my spirits to your worship.

Shak.