To think better of

To think better of
Think Think, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thought}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Thinking}.] [OE. thinken, properly, to seem, from AS. [thorn]yncean (cf. {Methinks}), but confounded with OE. thenken to think, fr. AS. [thorn]encean (imp. [thorn][=o]hte); akin to D. denken, dunken, OS. thenkian, thunkian, G. denken, d["u]nken, Icel. [thorn]ekkja to perceive, to know, [thorn]ykkja to seem, Goth. [thorn]agkjan, [thorn]aggkjan, to think, [thorn]ygkjan to think, to seem, OL. tongere to know. Cf. {Thank}, {Thought}.] 1. To seem or appear; -- used chiefly in the expressions methinketh or methinks, and methought. [1913 Webster]

Note: These are genuine Anglo-Saxon expressions, equivalent to it seems to me, it seemed to me. In these expressions me is in the dative case. [1913 Webster]

2. To employ any of the intellectual powers except that of simple perception through the senses; to exercise the higher intellectual faculties. [1913 Webster]

For that I am I know, because I think. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. Specifically: (a) To call anything to mind; to remember; as, I would have sent the books, but I did not think of it. [1913 Webster]

Well thought upon; I have it here. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) To reflect upon any subject; to muse; to meditate; to ponder; to consider; to deliberate. [1913 Webster]

And when he thought thereon, he wept. --Mark xiv. 72. [1913 Webster]

He thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? --Luke xii. 17. [1913 Webster] (c) To form an opinion by reasoning; to judge; to conclude; to believe; as, I think it will rain to-morrow. [1913 Webster]

Let them marry to whom they think best. --Num. xxxvi. 6. [1913 Webster] (d) To purpose; to intend; to design; to mean. [1913 Webster]

I thought to promote thee unto great honor. --Num. xxiv. 11. [1913 Webster]

Thou thought'st to help me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (e) To presume; to venture. [1913 Webster]

Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father. --Matt. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]

Note: To think, in a philosophical use as yet somewhat limited, designates the higher intellectual acts, the acts pre["e]minently rational; to judge; to compare; to reason. Thinking is employed by Hamilton as ``comprehending all our collective energies.'' It is defined by Mansel as ``the act of knowing or judging by means of concepts,''by Lotze as ``the reaction of the mind on the material supplied by external influences.'' See {Thought}. [1913 Webster]

{To think better of}. See under {Better}.

{To think much of}, or {To think well of}, to hold in esteem; to esteem highly. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To expect; guess; cogitate; reflect; ponder; contemplate; meditate; muse; imagine; suppose; believe. See {Expect}, {Guess}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • think better of something — think better of (something) to decide not to do something you had intended to do. I nearly told him I was leaving, but then I thought better of it …   New idioms dictionary

  • think better of — (something) to decide not to do something you had intended to do. I nearly told him I was leaving, but then I thought better of it …   New idioms dictionary

  • think better of it doing something — think ˈbetter of it/of doing sth idiom to decide not to do sth after thinking further about it Syn: ↑reconsider • Rosie was about to protest but thought better of it. Main entry: ↑thinkidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • think better of of doing something — think ˈbetter of it/of doing sth idiom to decide not to do sth after thinking further about it Syn: ↑reconsider • Rosie was about to protest but thought better of it. Main entry: ↑thinkidiom …   Useful english dictionary

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  • think better of — index reconsider, repent Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • think better of — HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT, think twice about, think again about, change one s mind about; reconsider, decide against; informal get cold feet about. → think * * * phrasal : to reconsider and make a better decision started to protest but thought… …   Useful english dictionary

  • think better of —    If you think better of something, you decide not to do what you intended doing.     I was going to go shopping, but when I saw the crowded car park,     I thought better of it …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • think better of it —    If you think better of something, you decide not to do something that you intended to do.     I wanted to go shopping, but when I saw the crowded car park I thought better of it …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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