Middle English Dictionary Entry

nẹ̄des adv.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Of necessity, necessarily; inevitably, unavoidably; willen ~, ~ willen, to wish, intend, or have (to do sth.) of necessity or certainly; (b) moten ~, moten..~, ~ moten, ~..moten, owen ~, ~..owen, shulen ~, ~ shulen, to have (to do sth.), be necessarily obliged, required, or compelled; (c) he mot (moste) ~, he ~ moste, ~ he moste, etc., he must of necessity (do sth.), he should or ought; etc.; hit mot (moste) ~, mot hit ~, ~ hit mot, it must necessarily (be, do, or suffer sth.); (d) hit) bihoveth ~, etc., it is necessary, required, appropriate, or inevitable [see also bihoven v. 2a.]; hit bihovede ~ me, it was necessary for me (to do sth.); him bihoveth ~, etc., it is necessary, proper, or unavoidable for him (to do sth.), he should or ought, etc. [see also bihoven v. 2b.]; ~ help bihoveth, help is needed; him birde ~, ~ birde him, he of necessity had to (do sth.); (e) in proverbs.