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might |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Might \Might\, imp. of {May}. [AS. meahte, mihte.] From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Might \Might\, n. [AS. meaht, miht, from the root of magan to be able, E. may akin to D. magt, OS maht, G. macht, Icel. m[=a]ttr, Goth. mahts. ????. See {May}, v.] Force or power of any kind whether of body or mind; energy or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action means or resources to effect an object; strength; force; power; ability; capacity. What so strong, But wanting rest, will also want of might? --Spenser. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might --Deut. vi 5. {With might and main}. See under 2d {Main}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: May \May\, v. [imp. {Might}] [AS. pres. m[ae]g I am able, pret. meahte, mihte; akin to D. mogen, G. m["o]gen, OHG. mugan, magan, Icel. mega, Goth. magan, Russ. moche. ?. Cf {Dismay}, {Main} strength, {Might}. The old imp. mought is obsolete, except as a provincial word.] An auxiliary verb qualifyng the meaning of another verb by expressing: a Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can. How may a man, said he with idle speech, Be won to spoil the castle of his health ! --Spenser. For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds; what he may do as just and what he may do as possible. --Bacon. For of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest are these: ``It might have been.'' --Whittier. b Liberty; permission; allowance. Thou mayst be no longer steward. --Luke xvi. 2. c Contingency or liability; possibility or probability. Though what he learns he speaks, and may advance Some general maxims, or be right by chance. --Pope. d Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark. How old may Phillis be you ask --Prior. e Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like ``May you live happily.'' --Dryden. {May be}, & {It may be}, are used as equivalent to possibly, perhaps, by chance, peradventure. See 1st {Maybe}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: might n : physical strength [syn: {mightiness}, {power}] v 1: expresses permission; "You may leave now"; "Can I have another piece of cake?" [syn: {can}, {may}] 2: expresses possibility; "I could do it by myself" [syn: {could}]
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