Worthiest

Worthy Wor"thy, a. [Compar. {Worthier}; superl. {Worthiest.}] [OE. worthi, wur[thorn]i, from worth, wur[thorn], n.; cf. Icel. ver[eth]ugr, D. waardig, G. w["u]rdig, OHG. wird[=i]g. See {Worth}, n.] [1913 Webster] 1. Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous. [1913 Webster]

Full worthy was he in his lordes war. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

These banished men that I have kept withal Are men endued with worthy qualities. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

This worthy mind should worthy things embrace. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

2. Having suitable, adapted, or equivalent qualities or value; -- usually with of before the thing compared or the object; more rarely, with a following infinitive instead of of, or with that; as, worthy of, equal in excellence, value, or dignity to; entitled to; meriting; -- usually in a good sense, but sometimes in a bad one. [1913 Webster]

No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The merciless Macdonwald, Worthy to be a rebel. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. --Matt. iii. 11. [1913 Webster]

And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know More happiness. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The lodging is well worthy of the guest. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. Of high station; of high social position. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Worthy women of the town. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{Worthiest of blood} (Eng. Law of Descent), most worthy of those of the same blood to succeed or inherit; -- applied to males, and expressive of the preference given them over females. --Burrill. [1913 Webster]