Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ILL-BEST, adj. Least bad of several poor alternatives (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.); also used as n. = the best of a bad lot (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh., Kcd., Ags. 1958), and in phr. to mak an ill best o', to make the best of a bad job.Dmf. 1824 Carlyle Early Life (Froude) I. 213:
I am not sure now that it is not the ill-best way it could have been arranged.Abd. 1879 G. Macdonald Sir Gibbie xxvii.:
The Lord has forsaken me, an' left me to mak an ill best o' 't wantin' him.