1. [n]  the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best"
2. [n]  the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others; "he could beat the best of them"
3. [n]  Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)
4. [adv]  it would be sensible; "you'd best stay at home"
5. [adv]  in a most excellent way or manner; "he played best after a couple of martinis"
6. [adv]  from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows best"; "I know better."
7. [adj]  (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities; "the best film of the year"; "the best solution"; "the best time for planting"; "wore his best suit"
8. [v]  get the better of

Best
Best

more details ...

1. \Best\ (b[e^]st), a.; superl. of Good. [AS. besta, best,
   contr. from betest, betst, betsta; akin to Goth. batists,
   OHG. pezzisto, G. best, beste, D. best, Icel. beztr, Dan.
   best, Sw. b["a]st. This word has no connection in origin with
   good. See {Better}.]
   1. Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good,
      kind, desirable, suitable, etc.; most excellent; as, the
      best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best
      abilities.
            When he is best, he is a little worse than a man.
                                                  --Shak.
            Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight.
                                                  --Milton.
   2. Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best
      scholar; the best view of a subject.
   3. Most; largest; as, the best part of a week.
   {Best man}, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding
      ceremony.
   

2. \Best\, n.
   Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing,
   or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our
   ability.
   {At best}, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the
      case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is
      at best very short.
   {For best}, finally. [Obs.] ``Those constitutions . . . are
      now established for best, and not to be mended.''
      --Milton.
   {To get the best of}, to gain an advantage over, whether
      fairly or unfairly.
   {To make the best of}.
   (a) To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the
       greatest advantage. ``Let there be freedom to carry their
       commodities where they can make the best of them.''
       --Bacon.
   (b) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to
       make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.
   

3. \Best\, adv.; superl. of {Well}.
   1. In the highest degree; beyond all others. ``Thou serpent!
      That name best befits thee.'' --Milton.
            He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both
            great and small.                      --Coleridge.
   2. To the most advantage; with the most success, case,
      profit, benefit, or propriety.
            Had we best retire? I see a storm.    --Milton.
            Had I not best go to her?             --Thackeray.
   3. Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is
      expedient is best known to himself.
   

4. \Best\, v. t.
   To get the better of. [Colloq.]