Good for nothing

Good Good, a. [Compar. {Better}; superl. {Best}. These words, though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS. g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god, Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. {Gather}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc. [1913 Webster]

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. --Gen. i. 31. [1913 Webster]

Good company, good wine, good welcome. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions. [1913 Webster]

In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works. --Tit. ii. 7. [1913 Webster]

3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto. [1913 Webster]

The men were very good unto us. --1 Sam. xxv. 15. [1913 Webster]

4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for. [1913 Webster]

All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit. --Collier. [1913 Webster]

5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at. [1913 Webster]

He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else. --South. [1913 Webster]

6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit. [1913 Webster]

My reasons are both good and weighty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth. [1913 Webster]

Love no man in good earnest. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc. [1913 Webster]

9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete. [1913 Webster]

Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. --Luke vi. 38. [1913 Webster]

10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc. [1913 Webster]

A good name is better than precious ointment. --Eccl. vii. 1. [1913 Webster]

{As good as}. See under {As}.

{For good}, or {For good and all}, completely and finally; fully; truly. [1913 Webster]

The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all. --L'Estrange.

{Good breeding}, polite or polished manners, formed by education; a polite education. [1913 Webster]

Distinguished by good humor and good breeding. --Macaulay.

{Good cheap}, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap.

{Good consideration} (Law). (a) A consideration of blood or of natural love and affection. --Blackstone. (b) A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a contract.

{Good fellow}, a person of companionable qualities. [Familiar]

{Good folk}, {or Good people}, fairies; brownies; pixies, etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.]

{Good for nothing}. (a) Of no value; useless; worthless. (b) Used substantively, an idle, worthless person. [1913 Webster]

My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing. --Ld. Lytton.

{Good Friday}, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion.

{Good humor}, or {Good-humor}, a cheerful or pleasant temper or state of mind.

{Good humor man}, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence. [U. S.]

{Good nature}, or {Good-nature}, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor. [1913 Webster]

The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics. --Hawthorne.

{Good people}. See {Good folk} (above).

{Good speed}, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old form of wishing success. See {Speed}.

{Good turn}, an act of kidness; a favor.

{Good will}. (a) Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling. (b) (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and others, to resort to an established place of business; the advantage accruing from tendency or inclination. [1913 Webster]

The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place. --Lord Eldon.

{In good time}. (a) Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor too late. (b) (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time.

{To hold good}, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the condition still holds good.

{To make good}, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to clear; to vindicate. [1913 Webster]

Each word made good and true. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Of no power to make his wishes good. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

I . . . would by combat make her good. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Convenient numbers to make good the city. --Shak.

{To think good}, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper. [1913 Webster]

If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. --Zech. xi. 12. [1913 Webster]

Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night, good evening, good morning, etc. [1913 Webster]