betta

Etymology 1

From the genus name.

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. 2005, Russell A. Powell, Introduction to Learning and Behavior, page 245
   "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.[…]" 2006, Kasey Michaels, Everything's Coming Up Rosie, page 82
   I had previously bought a bright red betta fish from the Chinese spiritual store, which I also sense had been sent for Aurayah. 2010, Nicole M. Jenkins, Glass Rock, page 163

Etymology 2

adj

1. 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.' 1894, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Ebb-Tide, published 2001, page 69
   I pray dat dey he'p us liv' a betta lif ' den dey had. 2008, Sandra Snowden, The New Plantation, page 316
   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.[…]" 2009, Jack Freeze, chapter IC, in They Shall Be Remembered: A Great American Saga from the War of 1812 to World War I, page 56

adv

1. 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.” 2003, William Jackson, And the Sea Shall Hide Them, published 2005, page 202
   Now you even know the dope game betta than me, look how much money you save fo me when I went to jail. 2003, Karen Williams, chapter IC, in Passion and Pain, page 268
   “I see she's feelin' betta’,” he said in a muffled voice. 2008, Sarah Deckard, Tapestry of Tales: Classic Fairy Tales Retold, page 181
   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. 2010, Kathy R. Jackson, My Box of Jewels, page 237
2. (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. 2007, Gwendolyn Pless, chapter IC, in Praying Hearts and Labor of Love, page 72
   You betta praise the Lord that's all I can say. 2010, Deborah Wofford, Pour Me Out A Blessing Ministries: Presents Lyrical Bliss, page 25
   If I had a lil sister, she betta be scared to screw and be about gettin that paper. 2010, Kenya K. Watkins, chapter IC, in The Life You Choose, page 58