单词 | needs must |
释义 | > as lemmasneeds must b. needs must: it is necessary or unavoidable. Cf. needs must that needs shall at shall v. 27c.Apparently originally the impersonal use of must (see must v.1 3c) with anaphoric ellipsis of the main verb; by the 19th cent. used in isolation (probably originally as a shortened form of needs must when the devil drives: see sense 5). Now frequently taken to be a plural noun and verb. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > necessity > must of necessity [verb (intransitive)] must1372 needs must1604 havea1829 get1912 1604 E. Grimeston tr. True Hist. Siege Ostend 195 We beleeue them no more then needs must. 1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia i. 36 Her vnaduised sickle shall not thrust Into her hopefull Haruest, ere needs must. 1683 J. Dryden & N. Lee Duke of Guise i. i. 2 I shou'd be glad to find the King No safer than needs must? 1734 G. Berkeley Let. in Wks. (1871) IV. 218 I shall stay no longer in Dublin than needs must. 1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams I. vi. 112 I will lose all that I have, and go to day-labour, and my son too, if needs must. 1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. iv. 73 I..would have no more of these follies than needs must. 1839 W. M. Thackeray Catherine vi. 112 ‘Faith, then, needs must,’ said the ensign. 1871 R. Browning Balaustion 145 She shall go, if needs must. a1902 F. Norris Pit (1903) ii. 51 Then needs must that Laura go with the cook to see if the range was finally and properly adjusted. 1991 B. Whitehead Dean it was that Died (BNC) 132 She sighed again. Today she would have to go back home, making out that she'd been in London staying with a friend... Well, needs must. 1998 M. Waites Little Triggers (1999) ii. 17 ‘I'm pleased you have adapted yourself to our work ethic so readily.’ Larkin shook his head. ‘Needs must.’ < as lemmas |
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