Main Entry:

¹might

Pronunciation:

\ˈmīt\

Function:

verbal auxiliary

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English meahte, mihte; akin to Old High German mahta, mohta could

Date:

before 12th century

past of may

—used in auxiliary function to express permission, liberty, probability, possibility in the past <the president might do nothing without the board's consent> or a present condition contrary to fact <if you were older you might understand> or less probability or possibility than may<might get there before it rains> or as a polite alternative to may<might I ask who is calling> or to ought or should<you might at least apologize>