1. past of MAY, used esp.:
1. in reported speech, expressing possibility (said he might come) or permission (asked if I might leave) (cf. MAY 1, 2).
2 (foll. by perfect infin.) expressing a possibility based on a condition not fulfilled (if you'd looked you might have found it; but for the radio we might not have known).
3 (foll. by present infin. or perfect infin.) expressing complaint that an obligation or expectation is not or has not been fulfilled (he might offer to help; they might have asked; you might have known they wouldn't come).
4 expressing a request (you might call in at the butcher's).
5 colloq. a MAY 1 (it might be true). b (in tentative questions) MAY 2 (might I have the pleasure of this dance?). c MAY 4 (who might you be?).
Phrases and idioms:
might as well expressing that it is probably at least as desirable to do a thing as not to do it (finished the work and decided they might as well go to lunch; won't win but might as well try). might-have-been colloq.
1. a past possibility that no longer applies.
2 a person who could have been more eminent.2. n.1 great bodily or mental strength.
2 power to enforce one's will (usu. in contrast with right).
Phrases and idioms:
with all one's might to the utmost of one's power. with might and main see MAIN(1).
Etymology: OE miht, mieht f. Gmc, rel. to MAY(1)