MIGHT


Meaning of MIGHT in English

I. ˈmīt, usu -īd.+V

( archaic second singular might·est -īd.ə̇st ; or mightst -ītst)

Etymology: Middle English mighte, from Old English meahte, mihte; akin to Old High German mahta, mohta could, was able, Old Norse mātti, Gothic mahta — more at may

past of may — used in auxiliary function to express permission, liberty, probability, possibility in the past

the king might do nothing without parliament's consent

or a present condition contrary to fact

if he were older he might understand

or less probability or possibility than may

might get there before it rains

might be a good idea to wait and see

or as a polite alternative to may

might I ask who is calling

or to ought or should

you might at least apologize

II. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English miht; akin to Old Saxon & Old High German maht might, power, Old Norse māttr, Gothic mahts might, Old English magan to be able — more at may

1.

a.

(1) : the power, authority, or collective resources wielded by an individual, group, or other entity

the fading might of Spain

the growing might of the middle class

the might of three great states was arrayed against the republic

sought to weaken the might of the barons

specifically : the power of such an entity given a concrete form or embodiment

resisting the power of the German armed might — D.W.Brogan

our growing might in the air

(2) : power or supreme power regarded as the attribute of a divine being, as an abstraction, or as a personalized force or idea

'tis might half-slumbering on its own right arm — John Keats

(3) : the power or force of an inanimate, incorporeal, or intangible thing or agency

the ocean's might

the might of winter's icy blasts

the might of a redeeming love

b.

(1) : power to effect a desired object : means , resources , capacity

not zeal or goodwill were lacking, but the might

(2) : physical or bodily strength

with a man's will and a man's might — Robert Browning

(3) archaic : active property : virtue , efficacy

(4) : the power, energy, or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action of which one is capable

watched a wren … singing with all its might — Stuart Chase

save ourselves by the might of our minds — L.M.Chamberlain

began to strain with all his might toward his own left — A.C.Whitehead

ran with all his might

— often used in the intensive phrase with might and main

were staring with might and main — William Black

c. : naked material power or superiority of strength regarded as the ultimate arbiter of disputes or conflicts of interest

might makes right

2. dialect : a considerable amount : a great deal

Synonyms: see power

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.