To think better of

Think \Think\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thought}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Thinking}.] [OE. thinken, properly, to seem, from AS.
   [thorn]yncean (cf. {Methinks}), but confounded with OE.
   thenken to think, fr. AS. [thorn]encean (imp.
   [thorn][=o]hte); akin to D. denken, dunken, OS. thenkian,
   thunkian, G. denken, d["u]nken, Icel. [thorn]ekkja to
   perceive, to know, [thorn]ykkja to seem, Goth. [thorn]agkjan,
   [thorn]aggkjan, to think, [thorn]ygkjan to think, to seem,
   OL. tongere to know. Cf. {Thank}, {Thought}.]
   1. To seem or appear; -- used chiefly in the expressions
      methinketh or methinks, and methought.
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   Note: These are genuine Anglo-Saxon expressions, equivalent
         to it seems to me, it seemed to me. In these
         expressions me is in the dative case.
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   2. To employ any of the intellectual powers except that of
      simple perception through the senses; to exercise the
      higher intellectual faculties.
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            For that I am
            I know, because I think.              --Dryden.
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   3. Specifically:
      (a) To call anything to mind; to remember; as, I would
          have sent the books, but I did not think of it.
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                Well thought upon; I have it here. --Shak.
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      (b) To reflect upon any subject; to muse; to meditate; to
          ponder; to consider; to deliberate.
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                And when he thought thereon, he wept. --Mark
                                                  xiv. 72.
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                He thought within himself, saying, What shall I
                do, because I have no room where to bestow my
                fruits?                           --Luke xii.
                                                  17.
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      (c) To form an opinion by reasoning; to judge; to
          conclude; to believe; as, I think it will rain
          to-morrow.
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                Let them marry to whom they think best. --Num.
                                                  xxxvi. 6.
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      (d) To purpose; to intend; to design; to mean.
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                I thought to promote thee unto great honor.
                                                  --Num. xxiv.
                                                  11.
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                Thou thought'st to help me.       --Shak.
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      (e) To presume; to venture.
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                Think not to say within yourselves, We have
                Abraham to our father.            --Matt. iii.
                                                  9.
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   Note: To think, in a philosophical use as yet somewhat
         limited, designates the higher intellectual acts, the
         acts preeminently rational; to judge; to compare; to
         reason. Thinking is employed by Hamilton as
         "comprehending all our collective energies." It is
         defined by Mansel as "the act of knowing or judging by
         means of concepts,"by Lotze as "the reaction of the
         mind on the material supplied by external influences."
         See {Thought}.
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   {To think better of}. See under {Better}.

   {To think much of}, or {To think well of}, to hold in esteem;
      to esteem highly.
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   Syn: To expect; guess; cogitate; reflect; ponder;
        contemplate; meditate; muse; imagine; suppose; believe.
        See {Expect}, {Guess}.
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Better \Bet"ter\, adv.; compar. of {Well}.
   1. In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill
      and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as,
      Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than
      recruits.
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            I could have better spared a better man. --Shak.
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   2. More correctly or thoroughly.
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            The better to understand the extent of our
            knowledge.                            --Locke.
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   3. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one
      better than another.
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            Never was monarch better feared, and loved. --Shak.
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   4. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten
      miles and better. [Colloq.]
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   {To think better of} (any one), to have a more favorable
      opinion of any one.

   {To think better of} (an opinion, resolution, etc.), to
      reconsider and alter one's decision.
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