n.
Pronunciation: ' hav, (h) ə v, v; in “ have to ” meaning “ must ” usu ' haf
Function: verb
Inflected Form: had \ ' had, (h) ə d, d \ ; hav · ing \ ' ha-vi ŋ \ ; has \ ' haz, (h) ə z, z, s; in “ has to ” meaning “ must ” usu ' has \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English habban; akin to Old High German hab ē n to have, and perhaps to hevan to lift ― more at HEAVE
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to hold or maintain as a possession, privilege, or entitlement <they have a new car> <I have my rights> b : to hold in one's use, service, regard, or at one's disposal <the group will have enough tickets for everyone> <we don't have time to stay> c : to hold, include, or contain as a part or whole <the car has power brakes> <April has 30 days>
2 : to feel obligation in regard to ― usually used with an infinitive with to <we have things to do> < have a deadline to meet>
3 : to stand in a certain relationship to < has three fine children> <we will have the wind at our backs>
4 a : to acquire or get possession of : OBTAIN <these shoes are the best to be had > b : RECEIVE < had news> c : ACCEPT specifically : to accept in marriage d : to copulate with
5 a : to be marked or characterized by (a quality, attribute, or faculty) <both have red hair> < has a way with words> b : EXHIBIT , SHOW < had the gall to refuse> c : USE , EXERCISE < have mercy on us>
6 a : to experience especially by submitting to, undergoing, or suffering <I have a cold> b : to make the effort to perform (an action) or engage in (an activity) < have a look at that cut> c : to entertain in the mind < have an opinion>
7 a : to cause or command to do something ― used with the infinitive without to < have the children stay> b : to cause to be in a certain place or state < has people around at all times>
8 : ALLOW <we'll have no more of that>
9 : to be competent in < has only a little French>
10 a : to hold in a position of disadvantage or certain defeat <we have him now> b : to take advantage of : TRICK , FOOL <been had by a partner>
11 : BEAR 2A < have a baby>
12 : to partake of < have dinner> < have a piece>
13 : BRIBE , SUBORN <can be had for a price>
verbal auxiliary
1 ― used with the past participle to form the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect < has gone home> < had already eaten> <will have finished dinner by then>
2 : to be compelled, obliged, or required ― used with an infinitive with to or to alone <we had to go> <do what you have to> <it has to be said>
– had better or had best : would be wise to
– have at : to go at or deal with : ATTACK
– have coming : to deserve or merit what one gets, benefits by, or suffers <he had that coming >
– have done : FINISH , STOP
– have done with : to bring to an end : have no further concern with <let us have done with name-calling>
– have had it
1 : to have had or have done all one is going to be allowed to
2 : to have experienced, endured, or suffered all one can
– have it : ASSERT , CLAIM <rumor has it that he was drunk>
– have it in for : to intend to do harm to
– have it out : to settle a matter of contention by discussion or a fight
– have none of : to refuse to have anything to do with
– have one's eye on
1 a : to look at b : to watch constantly and attentively
2 : to have as an objective
– have to do with
1 : to deal with <the story has to do with real people ― Alice M. Jordan>
2 : to have a specified relationship with or effect on <the size of the brain has nothing to do with intelligence ― Ruth Benedict>