might
1[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /
auxiliary verb
simple past tense of may1.
(used to express possibility): They might be at the station.
(used to express advisability): You might at least thank me.
(used in polite requests for permission): Might I speak to you for a moment?
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We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Words nearby might
Definition for might (2 of 2)
might2
[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /
noun
physical strength: He swung with all his might.
superior power or strength; force: the theory that might makes right.
power or ability to do or accomplish; capacity: the might of the ballot box.
Origin of might
2before 900; Middle English myghte,Old English miht, meaht; cognate with German macht,Gothic mahts; akin to may1
synonym study for might
1-3. See strength.
OTHER WORDS FROM might
mightless, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for might (1 of 2)
might1
/ (maɪt) /
verb
making the past tense or subjunctive mood of may 1 he might have come last night
(often foll by well) expressing theoretical possibility: he might well come . In this sense might looks to the future and functions as a weak form of maySee may 1 (def. 2)
Word Origin for might
OE miht
undefined might
See may 1
British Dictionary definitions for might (2 of 2)
might2
/ (maɪt) /
noun
power, force, or vigour, esp of a great or supreme kind
physical strength
(with) might and main See main 1 (def. 8)
Word Origin for might
Old English miht; compare Old High German maht, Dutch macht
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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