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ought1 definition

ought (ôt)

auxiliary verb

  1. to be compelled by obligation or duty [he ought to pay his debts] or by desirability you ought to eat more
  2. to be expected or likely it ought to be over soon

noun

obligation or duty

Etymology: orig., pt. of owe: ME aughte < OE ahte, pp. of agan, owe

ought2 definition

ought (ôt)

noun

anything whatever; aught

Etymology: var. of aught

adverb

Archaic to any degree; at all; aught
ought3 definition

ought (ôt)

noun

a nought; the figure zero (0)

Etymology: < (a n)ought

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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