Chaucer.
If thou hadst not been born the worst of men, Thou hadst been a knave
and flatterer.
Shak.
Worst, n. That which is most bad or evil; the most severe, pernicious,
calamitous, or wicked state or degree.
The worst is not So long as we can say, This is the worst.
Shak.
He is always sure of finding diversion when the worst comes to the
worst.
Addison.
Worst, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worsted; p. pr. & vb. n. Worsting.] [See
Worse, v. t. & a.] To gain advantage over, in contest or competition;
to get the better of; to defeat; to overthrow; to discomfit.
The . . . Philistines were worsted by the captivated ark.
South.
Worst, v. i. To grow worse; to deteriorate. [R.] "Every face . . .
worsting." Jane Austen.
Worst"ed (?; 277), n. [From Worsted, now spelled Worstead, a town in
Norfolk, England; for Worthstead. See Worth, n., and Stead.]
1. Well-twisted yarn spun of long-staple wool which has been combed to
lay the fibers parallel, used for carpets, cloth, hosiery, gloves, and
the like.
2. Fine and soft woolen yarn, untwisted or lightly twisted, used in
knitting and embroidery.
Wort (?), n. [OE. wort, wurt, AS. wyrt herb, root; akin to OS. wurt, G.
wurz, Icel. jurt, urt, Dan. urt, Sw. ört, Goth. waúrts a root, L.
radix, Gr. &?; a root, &?; a branch, young shoot, &?; a branch, and E.
root, n. Cf. Licorice, Orchard, Radish, Root, n., Whortleberry, Wort an
infusion of malt.]