rathest

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• rather — O.E. hraþor more quickly, earlier, sooner, also more readily, comparative of hraþe, hræþe quickly, related to hræð quick, from P.Gmc. *khrathuz (Cf. O.N. hraðr, O.H.G. hrad). The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry; superlative… …   Etymology dictionary

• soon ripe, soon rotten — Cf. L. cito maturum cito putridum, quickly ripe, quickly rotten. 1393 LANGLAND Piers Plowman C. XIII. 233 And that that rathest [earliest] rypeth, roteth most saunest. 1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs I. x. C4v In youth she was towarde… …   Proverbs new dictionary