■ adjective
1》 of poorer quality or lower standard.
↘more serious, severe, or evil.
2》 more ill or unhappy.
■ adverb
1》 less well.
2》 more seriously or severely.
■ noun a ~ event or circumstance.
↘( the ~ ) a ~ condition.
Phrases
none the ~ for not adversely affected by.
or ~ or as an even ~ unspecified alternative.
the ~ for drink rather drunk.
the ~ for wear informal
1》 worn.
2》 feeling rather unwell, especially as a result of drinking too much alcohol.
~ off less fortunate or prosperous.
Origin
OE wyrsa , wiersa (adjective), wiers (adverb), of Gmc origin; related to war .