01 a. Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous.
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1.
Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous.“Full worthy was he in his lordes war.” — Chaucer.“These banished men that I have kept withal Are men endued with worthy qualities.” — Shak.“Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be.” — Milton.“This worthy mind should worthy things embrace.” — Sir J. Davies.
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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.“No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway.” — Shak.“The merciless Macdonwald, Worthy to be a rebel.” — Shak.“Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.” — Matt. iii. 11.“And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know More happiness.” — Milton.“The lodging is well worthy of the guest.” — Dryden.
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3.
Of high station; of high social position.[Obs.]“Worthy women of the town.” — Chaucer.
Phrases & compounds
Worthiest of blood —
most worthy of those of the same blood to succeed or inherit; -- applied to males, and expressive of the preference given them over females.