̈ɪwə:θ adj. & n. --predic.adj. (governing a
noun like a preposition) 1 of a
value equivalent to (is worth ø50; is worth
very little). 2
such as to
justify or
repay;
deserving; bringing
compensation for (worth
doing;
not worth
the trouble). 3 possessing or having
property amounting to (is worth a
million pounds). --n. 1
what a
person or
thing is worth; the (usu. specified)
merit of (of
great worth; persons of worth). 2 the equivalent of
money in a
commodity (ten pounds' worth of petrol). øfor
all one is worth colloq.
with one's
utmost efforts;
without reserve. for what it is worth without a
guarantee of
its truth or value. worth it colloq. worth the
time or
effort spent. worth one's
salt see SALT. worth
while (or one's while) see WHILE. [OE w(e)orth]