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