Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MUST, v.i.¹ [Sax. most; D. moeten, moest; Sw. måste; G. müssen. It is used as an auxiliary verb, and has no variation to express person, time or number. Its primary sense is probably to be strong or able, as it is rendered in Saxon; from pressing, straining. Class Ms, No. 25. Ch. and No. 31.]

1. To be obliged; to be necessitated. It expresses both physical and moral necessity. A man must eat for nourishment, and he must sleep for refreshment. We must submit to the laws or be exposed to punishment. A bill in a legislative body must have three readings before it can pass to be enacted.
2. It expresses moral fitness or propriety, as necessary or essential to the character or end proposed “Deacons must be grave;” “a bishop must have a good report of them that are without.” 1 Tim. iii.