DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
ought /ˈɔt/
(v.)aux.應該,大概責任
Ought, imp., p. p., or auxiliary.
1. Was or were under obligation to pay; owed. [Obs.]
This due obedience which they ought to the king. --Tyndale.
The love and duty I long have ought you. --Spelman.
[He] said . . . you ought him a thousand pound. --Shak.
2. Owned; possessed. [Obs.]
The knight the which that castle ought. --Spenser.
3. To be bound in duty or by moral obligation.
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. --Rom. xv. 1.
4. To be necessary, fit, becoming, or expedient; to behoove; -- in this sense formerly sometimes used impersonally or without a subject expressed. “Well ought us work.”
To speak of this as it ought, would ask a volume. --Milton.
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things? --Luke xxiv. 26.
Note: ☞ Ought is now chiefly employed as an auxiliary verb, expressing fitness, expediency, propriety, moral obligation, or the like, in the action or state indicated by the principal verb.
Syn: -- Ought, Should.
Usage: Both words imply obligation, but ought is the stronger. Should may imply merely an obligation of propriety, expendiency, etc.; ought denotes an obligation of duty.
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Owe v. t. [imp. & p. p. Owed (Ought obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Owing ]
1. To possess; to have, as the rightful owner; to own. [Obs.]
Thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow'st not. --Shak.
2. To have or possess, as something derived or bestowed; to be obliged to ascribe (something to some source); to be indebted or obliged for; as, he owed his wealth to his father; he owed his victory to his lieutenants.
O deem thy fall not owed to man's decree. --Pope.
3. Hence: To have or be under an obigation to restore, pay, or render (something) in return or compensation for something received; to be indebted in the sum of; as, the subject owes allegiance; the fortunate owe assistance to the unfortunate.
The one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty. --Bible (1551).
A son owes help and honor to his father. --Holyday.
Note: ☞ Owe was sometimes followed by an objective clause introduced by the infinitive. “Ye owen to incline and bow your heart.”
4. To have an obligation to (some one) on account of something done or received; to be indebted to; as, to owe the grocer for supplies, or a laborer for services.
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Aught n. Anything; any part. [Also written ought.]
There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord has spoken. --Josh. xxi. 45
But go, my son, and see if aught be wanting. --Addison.