[f. BEST + -NESS.] The quality of being best.
1557. Cheke, Lett., in Ascham’s Scholem. (Arb.), Pref. 5. I am verie curious in mi freendes matters, not to determijn, but to debaat what is best. Whearin, I seek not the bestnes haplie bi truth.
a. 1659. Bp. Morton, Episcop. Assert., § 4 (T.). Generally the bestness of a thing (that we may so call it) is best discerned by the necessary use.
1820. J. Wilson, in Mem. Chr. North, ix. 327. We are now speaking not on the question of bestness, but as to fact.
