The present participle of best; defeating someone, getting the better of them, or surpassing them in competition.
From best (Old English betest, superlative of good) used as a verb + -ing. The noun 'best' became verbified, meaning to outdo or defeat, and the -ing form describes the action.
The word 'best' transformed from a superlative adjective ('the best') into a verb ('to best someone') through a process called verbing—and 'besting' is one of the most satisfying gerunds in English because it captures that moment of triumph perfectly!
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