Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

worsted

 - 7 dictionary results

wor⋅sted

  [woos-tid, wur-stid]
Use worsted in a Sentence
–noun
1. firmly twisted yarn or thread spun from combed, stapled wool fibers of the same length, for weaving, knitting, etc. Compare woolen.
2. wool cloth woven from such yarns, having a hard, smooth surface and no nap.
–adjective
3. consisting or made of worsted.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME worsted(e), special use of Worstede Worstead (OE Wurthestede), name of parish in Norfolk, England, where the cloth was made

worst

  [wurst]
–adjective, superl. of bad and ill.
1. bad or ill in the highest, greatest, or most extreme degree: the worst person.
2. most faulty, unsatisfactory, or objectionable: the worst paper submitted.
3. most unfavorable or injurious.
4. in the poorest condition: the worst house on the block.
5. most unpleasant, unattractive, or disagreeable: the worst personality I've ever known.
6. most lacking in skill; least skilled: the worst typist in the group.
–noun
7. that which is worst.
–adverb
8. in the most evil, wicked, severe, or disadvantageous manner.
9. with the most severity, intensity, etc.; in the greatest degree.
–verb (used with object)
10. to defeat; beat: He worsted him easily.
—Idioms
11. at worst, if the worst happens; under the worst conditions: He will be expelled from school, at worst. Also, at the worst.
12. get the worst of something, to be defeated by; lose: to get the worst of a fight.
13. if worst comes to worst, if the very worst happens: If worst comes to worst, we still have some money in reserve.
14. in the worst way, Informal. in an extreme degree; very much: She wanted a new robe for Christmas in the worst way. Also, the worst way.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME worste (adj., adv., and n.), OE wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adj. and adv.); c. ON verstr; see worse, -est 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To worsted
worst   (wûrst)   
adj.   Superlative of bad1, ill.

  1. Most inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect.

  2. Most severe or unfavorable.

  3. Being furthest from an ideal or a standard; least desirable or satisfactory.

adv.   Superlative of badly, ill.
In the worst manner or degree.
tr.v.   worst·ed, worst·ing, worsts
To gain the advantage over; defeat.
n.  Something that is worst.

[Middle English, from Old English wyrsta; see wers- in Indo-European roots.]
wor·sted   (wŏŏs'tĭd, wûr'stĭd)   
n.  

  1. Firm-textured, compactly twisted woolen yarn made from long-staple fibers.

  2. Fabric made from such yarn.


[Middle English, variant of worthstede, after Worthstede (Worstead), a village of eastern England.]
wor'sted adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

worst 
O.E. wyrresta, from P.Gmc. *wers-ista- (cf. O.S. wirsista, O.N. verstr, O.Fris. wersta, O.H.G. wirsisto), superlative of PIE *wers- "to confuse, mix up" (see worse). The verb meaning "damage, inflict loss upon" is first recorded 1602, from the adj. Phrase in the worst way (1839) is from Amer.Eng. sense of "most severely."

worsted 
woolen fabric made from twisted yarn, 1296, from Worstead (O.E. Wurðestede), town in Norfolk where the cloth originally was made.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: worst
superlative of ILL
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see worsted on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way