Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Worse?

\Worse\, a., compar. of {Bad}. [OE. werse, worse, wurse, AS. wiersa, wyrsa, a comparative with no corresponding positive; akin to OS. wirsa, OFries. wirra, OHG. wirsiro, Icel. verri, Sw. v["a]rre, Dan. v["a]rre, Goth. wa['i]rsiza, and probably to OHG. werran to bring into confusion, E. war, and L. verrere to sweep, sweep along. As bad has no comparative and superlative, worse and worst are used in lieu of them, although etymologically they have no relation to bad.] Bad, ill, evil, or corrupt, in a greater degree; more bad or evil; less good; specifically, in poorer health; more sick; -- used both in a physical and moral sense. Or worse, if men worse can devise. --Chaucer. [She] was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. --Mark v. 26. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. --2 Tim. iii. 13. There are men who seem to believe they are not bad while another can be found worse. --Rambler. ``But I love him.'' ``Love him? Worse and worse.'' --Gay.
\Worse\, n. 1. Loss; disadvantage; defeat. ``Judah was put to the worse before Israel.'' --Kings xiv. 12. 2. That which is worse; something less good; as, think not the worse of him for his enterprise.
\Worse\, adv. [AS. wiers, wyrs; akin to OS. & OHG. wirs, Icel. verr, Goth, wa['i]rs; a comparative adverb with no corresponding positive. See {Worse}, a.] In a worse degree; in a manner more evil or bad. Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. --Gen. xix. 9.
\Worse\, v. t. [OE. wursien, AS. wyrsian to become worse.] To make worse; to put disadvantage; to discomfit; to worst. See {Worst}, v. Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes. --Milton.