adv. (vulgar).—More: there is no idea of superiority. A depraved word; once in good usage, but now regarded as a vulgarism.

1

  1587.  FLEMING, Cont. Holinshed, III., 1382, 2. Woorth one hundred and twentie pounds and BETTER.

2

  1679.  PLOT, Staffordshire (1686), 239. The bodies … being BETTER than an inch long.

3

  1769.  GRAY, in Norton Nicholls’ Correspondence (1843), 87. It is BETTER than three weeks since I wrote to you.

4

  1851.  BORROW, Lavengro, lxx., 217 (1888). Following its windings for somewhat BETTER than a furlong.

5

  1854.  W. H. AINSWORTH, The Flitch of Bacon, I., v. Pastor of Little Dunmow Church fifty years and BETTER.

6

  1857.  DICKENS, Little Dorrit, I., x., 75. Yes. Rather BETTER than twelve years ago.

7

  1860.  DICKENS, Christmas Stories (Mess. from Sea), 89 (H. ed.). He shipped for his last voyage BETTER than three years ago.

8

  BETTER THAN A DIG IN THE EYE WITH A BLUNT STICK, phr. (common).—‘Things might be worse’; ‘if the value is small, it might be smaller’; ‘half a loaf is better than none.’

9