Ought
OUGHT. [See Aught, the true orthography.]
OUGHT, v. imperfect, aut.
1. To be held or bound in duty or moral obligation.
These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23.
We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. Romans 15:1.
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers. Matthew 25:27.
2. To be necessary; to behoove.
OUGHT not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into glory? Luke 24:26.
3. To be fit or expedient in a moral view.
My brethren, these things ought not so to be. James 3:10.
4. As a participle, owed; been indebted to.
The love and duty I long have ought you.
That followed, sir, which to myself I ought
[In this sense, obsolete.]
5. In Chaucer's time, it was used impersonally. 'Wel ought us werke, ' that is, well it behooveth us to work.