5. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject.
All the better. See under All, adv. -- Better half, an expression used to designate one's wife.
My dear, my better half (said he),
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.
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.
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.