betta

noun

1. Any fish of the genus Betta, especially Betta splendens (the Siamese fighting fish).

   “Rather than simply waiting for a clockwise turn and then presenting the mirror, past experience with another betta suggested that the turning behavior could be established more rapidly using a shaping procedure.”

   “"Do you know that Siamese fighting fish—bettas—excrete ammonia in their waste, and that ammonia is toxic to fish? Twenty-four hours flapping their little gills in the same, unfiltered water, and they're history.[…]"”

   “I had previously bought a bright red betta fish from the Chinese spiritual store, which I also sense had been sent for Aurayah.”

adj

1. (alt-of, pronunciation-spelling)Pronunciation spelling of better, comparative of good.

   “'I think no savvy. This one mo' betta,' he added, pointing to the house where the drunken captain slumbered: 'Take-a-sun all-e-time.'”

   “I pray dat dey he'p us liv' a betta lif ' den dey had.”

   “Joshua shyly looks down at his feet but then glances over at Harriet and says - “Miss Harriet, a beautiful form is betta dan a beautiful face, and a beautiful behavior is betta dan a beautiful form, it gives mo pleasure than statues or pictures.[…]"”

adv

1. (alt-of, pronunciation-spelling)Pronunciation spelling of better, comparative of well.

   ““Now she be lookin' betta,” one of the women said. “Like she has a chance to make it.””

   “Now you even know the dope game betta than me, look how much money you save fo me when I went to jail.”

   ““I see she's feelin' betta’,” he said in a muffled voice.”

   “Other than the omnipotent one, who betta to ask to help us pray for God's mercy and grace than Jesus' mother, the ev'a bless'd Virgin Mary.”

2. (alt-of, pronunciation-spelling, slang)Pronunciation spelling of better (“had better”).

   ““Boy, if I done told you once, I done told you a thousand times, you betta leave them white girls alone before one of their boyfriends or husbands roll up on you, and put a hurtin on yo lil behind.””

   “You betta praise the Lord that's all I can say.”

   “If I had a lil sister, she betta be scared to screw and be about gettin that paper.”