a. colloq. [f. BETTER a., after uppermost, uttermost, etc.: see -MOST.] Best (relatively, rather than absolutely).
1762. Gentl. Mag., 403. Some of our bettermost neighbours.
1849. Rock, Ch. Fathers, I. ii. 141. The bettermost sort of wine.
1879. G. Meredith, Egoist, I. v. 69. Men, after their fashion, as well as women, distinguish the bettermost, and aid him to succeed.
