must
must1 definition
must (must)
auxiliary verb must
- used to express compulsion, obligation, requirement, or necessity I know I must pay her; I knew I must pay her
- used to express probability then you must be my cousin; I thought he must be my cousin
- used to express certainty or inevitability all men must die; they knew they must die
Etymology: ME moste, pt., had to < OE, pt. of motan, may, akin to Goth (ga)mot, (I) find room, am permitted, prob. < IE *mōt-, var. of *med-, to measure > mete
intransitive verb
used elliptically in the same functions as must () shoot if you must
noun
something that must be done, had, read, seen, etc. this book is a must
adjective
that must be done, etc.; necessary; essential must reading
must2 definition
must (must)
noun
a state of frenzy in animals, esp. in the male elephant, usually associated with sexual heat
Etymology: Hindi mast, intoxicated < Pers mast < IE base *mad-, to be moist > meat
adjective
in must
must3 definition
must (must)
noun
the juice pressed from grapes or other fruit before it has fermented; new wine
Etymology: ME < OE < L mustum, new wine, neut. of mustus, new, fresh < IE base *meu-, moist > moss
must4 definition
must (must)
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