(a) Of a candle: to be necessary (for sb.), be needed, avail; (b) impers. hit thare, used parenthetically: it is necessary; (c) ?impers. thurte, he experienced (no lack of knights at his disposal).

As modal auxiliary expressing necessity: to need (to do sth., to be in a certain state, etc.), have good reason, have cause; also, would need (to do sth.);—usu. in negative contexts: (a) present form; also with implied inf. [quot. a1425]; also in rhetorical questions in positive context [quots. a1250 & a1500 (?a1400)]; (b) past form with present meaning or in present context; (c) past form with past meaning.

Impers. thare with inf. and indirect obj., expressing necessity: it is necessary for (sb. to do sth., sb. to be in a certain state, etc.), it is needful, there is good reason;—used in negative contexts: (a) present form; also, without indirect obj.: there need (be no argument) [quot. c1275]; (b) past form with present meaning; also, hit thare, without indirect obj.: it is necessary (to care about sth.) [quot. c1450]; (c) past form with past meaning.

As modal auxiliary expressing necessity contingent on the action in a conditional, hypothetical, or concessive clause: to need (to do sth., to be in a certain state), will need; shall (do sth., etc.): (a) present forms, usu. in negative contexts; also, in rhetorical question in positive context: what thare, why need or should (one care about sth.); (b) past form with present meaning in rhetorical question in positive context: what thurte, why need or should (one do sth.), why would (one) need (to do sth.); (c) past form with past meaning in phrase: thurte but, they needed only (to ask).

Impers. thare with inf. and indirect obj., expressing necessity contingent on the action in a conditional, hypothetical, or concessive clause: it is necessary for (sb. to do sth., sb. to be in a certain state, etc.), it will be necessary, it would be necessary; he (I, they, we, you) need (do sth., etc.), shall, should;—usu. in negative contexts; thare (no more) but, one need only (ask, command, etc.): (a) present form; also in rhetorical question in positive context: what thare, why need or should (one care about sth.); (b) past form with present meaning; (c) past form with past meaning.

As modal auxiliary expressing obligation based on duty, superior authority, divine law, etc.: to be obliged (to do sth., to be in a certain state, etc.), be duty-bound, have; must (do sth.): (a) present form; (b) past form with past meaning.

Impers. thare, it is a family obligation for (sb. to do sth.);—with implied inf.

With reduced semantic force in references to the interpretation of an emotional state, with asken in negative contexts: (a) as modal auxiliary: thare no-man asken, ne thare me (no-man) asken, etc., no one need ask (if sb. is happy, sad, etc.), one need not ask; (b) impers. you thare not asken, it is not necessary for you to ask (if there was sadness, etc.), you need not ask.

As modal auxiliary expressing what is fitting, right, or proper: should (do sth., believe sth., etc.); ought (to do sth., etc.): (a) present form;—used in negative contexts [sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 2a.(a)]; also with implied inf. [quot. c1225(?c1200) HMaid.]; (b) past form with present meaning with implied inf.; (c) past form with past meaning.

Impers. thare with inf. and indirect obj., it is fitting, right, or proper for (sb. to do sth.), it behooves;—usu. in negative contexts.

As modal auxiliary expressing possibility: to have occasion (to do sth., to be in a certain state, etc.), have the opportunity, be able; may (do sth., etc.), can, could;—freq. in negative contexts and often used with reduced semantic force with comparatives [sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 2a.]: (a) present form; (b) past form with present meaning with implied inf.; (c) past form with past meaning; (d) past form with past meaning with implied inf.

Impers. thare with inf. and indirect obj., it is possible for (sb. to do sth., sb. to believe sth., etc.); one can (do sth., etc.);—used in negative contexts [sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 2b.].

As modal auxiliary expressing volition, determination, free choice, etc.: to have the will (to do sth.), be willing; venture (to do sth.), have the courage, dare;—usu. in negative contexts; ~ seien, venture to say (sth., that sth. is so), dare say [many quots. in 8. show confusion with, or influence from, durren v.]: (a) present form; also with implied inf. in past context [quot. c1450]; also in questions in positive context; (b) past form with present meaning; also with implied inf. [1st quot.]; (c) past form with past meaning; (d) past form with past meaning with implied inf.