An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In a scatter plot, a mathematical line or curve that passes as near to as many of the data points as possible.

Etymology (EN): Best, M.E., from O.E. betst, akin toi O.E. bot “remedy.” Fit, from M.E. fitten “to marchal troops,” from or akin to M.Dutch vitten “to be suitable.”

Etymology (PE): Behtarin supperlative of beh “good, fine” (Mid.Pers. veh “better, good,” O.Pers. vahav-, vahu-, Av. vah-, vohu- “good,” cf. Skt. vasu- “good,” Hittite wasu-, Gaulish vesus “good”) + saz, from sazidan “to be fit, proper,” from Mid.Pers. saz, sazistan “to be fitting, proper.”