a., compar. of Bad. [ OE. werse, worse, wurse, AS. wiersa, wyrsa, a comparative with no corresponding positive; akin to OS. wirsa, OFries. wirra, OHG. wirsiro, Icel. verri, Sw. värre, Dan. värre, Goth. waírsiza, and probably to OHG. werran to bring into confusion, E. war, and L. verrere to sweep, sweep along. As bad has no comparative and superlative, worse and worst are used in lieu of them, although etymologically they have no relation to bad. ] Bad, ill, evil, or corrupt, in a greater degree; more bad or evil; less good; specifically, in poorer health; more sick; -- used both in a physical and moral sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

Or worse, if men worse can devise. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ She ] was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. Mark v. 26. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. 2 Tim. iii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

There are men who seem to believe they are not bad while another can be found worse. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

“But I love him.” “Love him? Worse and worse.” Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Loss; disadvantage; defeat. “Judah was put to the worse before Israel.” Kings xiv. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is worse; something less good; as, think not the worse of him for his enterprise. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ AS. wiers, wyrs; akin to OS. & OHG. wirs, Icel. verr, Goth, waírs; a comparative adverb with no corresponding positive. See Worse, a. ] In a worse degree; in a manner more evil or bad. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. Gen. xix. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ OE. wursien, AS. wyrsian to become worse. ] To make worse; to put disadvantage; to discomfit; to worst. See Worst, v. [ 1913 Webster ]

Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
May serve to better us and worse our foes. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To make worse; to deteriorate; to impair. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is apparent that, in the particular point of which we have been conversing, their condition is greatly worsened. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To get the better of; to worst. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To grow or become worse. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indifferent health, which seemed rather to worsen than improve. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Worse. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou dost deserve a worser end. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

From worser thoughts which make me do amiss. Bunyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

A dreadful quiet felt, and, worser far
Than arms, a sullen interval of war. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This old and redundant form of the comparative occurs occasionally in the best authors, although commonly accounted a vulgarism. It has, at least, the analogy of lesser to sanction its issue. See Lesser. “The experience of man's worser nature, which intercourse with ill-chosen associates, by choice or circumstance, peculiarly teaches.” Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]