must

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a necessary or essential thing

   seat belts are an absolute must

2. 2
   verb

   To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence.

   You must arrive in class on time.

3. 3
   verb

   To do with certainty; indicates that the speaker is certain that the subject will have executed the predicate.

   If it has rained all day, it must be very wet outside.

4. 4
   verb

   Used to indicate that something is very likely, probable, or certain to be true.

   The children must be asleep by now.

5. 5
   noun

   Something that is mandatory, required or recommended.

   If you're trekking all day, a map is a must.

6. 6
   noun

   Fruit juice that will ferment or has fermented, usually from grapes.

   No sweet grape lies hidden here in the shade of its vine-leaves, No fermenting must fills and o'erflows the deep vats.

7. 7
   noun

   Alternative spelling of musth.

   No animal in the world is so dangerous as an elephant in must.

8. 8
   adj

   highly recommended

Etymology

From Middle English moste ("must", literally, "had to", the past tense of Middle English moten (“to have to”)), from Old English mōste (“had to”), 1st & 3rd person singular past tense of mōtan (“to be allowed, be able to, have the opportunity to, be compelled to, must, may”), from Proto-Germanic *mōtaną. Cognate with Dutch moest (“had to”), German musste (“had to”), Swedish måste (“must, have to, be obliged to”). More at mote.