| 释义 |
▪ I. need, n.|niːd|
Forms: α. 1 néad, 2 neat. β. 1–4 néod, 1–5 neode, 2 neoð, neot; 2 node, 3 nod, noede. γ. 1–2 níed, 3 nyede; 1 nýd, 1, 3–4 nud, 5 nude. δ. 1–5 ned, 1–6 nede, 4– need, 4–7 neede, (6 neade, 5 neethe, 6 nide); 4–7 Sc. neid, 4–6 neide, (4, 6 neyd).
[A Common Teutonic word, of which the normal representative in OE. is the form níęd (nýd, néd) = OFris. nêd, nâth, OS. nôd (MDu. nood-, noot, Du. nood), OHG. nôt (MHG. nôt, G. noth, not), ON. nauð, neyð (Sw. and Da. nöd), Goth. nauþs, fem. i-stem:—OTeut. *nauđi-, *nauþi- related to OPruss. nauti-n need.
Both in form and gender, however, the word exhibits curious variations in OE. The forms níęd, nýd, néd would be normal as representatives of a fem. i-stem, but in cases where the gender can be distinguished they usually appear as neuters. A form without umlaut also occurs (néad: cf. the ON. nauð), which appears to have been feminine. The very common form néod, which is distinctly fem., is difficult to account for; if not an independent ablaut-variant, its vowel has probably been influenced by the frequent word néod desire, earnestness, pleasure, etc.]
I.
†1. Violence, force, constraint, or compulsion, exercised by or upon persons. Obs.
Beowulf 2454 Þonne se an hafað þurh deaðes nyd dæda ᵹefondad. c825Vesp. Psalter xxxvii. 13 Ned [L. vim] dydun ða sohton sawle mine. c888K. ælfred Oros. ii. iv. §9 Hiere anweald is ma hreosende for ealddome þonne of æniᵹes cyninges niede. c1000Ags. Gosp. Matt. xi. 12 Heofena rice þolað nead, & strece nimað þæt. a1300Cursor M. 7694 Childer of his aun sede Suld be for-driuen vte wit nede [Gött. for nede]. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xxxi. (Eugenia) 388 Scho was nere quhen þe monk assalȝeit sa hyr laydy þar for ned to ta.
†2. for need, of need, or on need, of or by necessity, unavoidably. Obs. (in later use chiefly Sc.)
c900tr. Bæda's Hist. ii. xx. 148 His sunu for neade..to Pendan þæm cyninge ᵹebeaᵹ. Ibid. iv. xxv. 350 Seo þearlwisnis..him ærest of nede becwom. a1122O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1016 Ða forlet he his herᵹunga..& beah þa for nede. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints i. (Peter) 654 Quha had ben þar, of ned his hart suld have ben sar. c1470Gol. & Gaw. 332 Yow worthis on neid For to assege yone castel. a1550Freiris Berwik 97 in Dunbar's Poems (1893) 288 Thairfoir of verry neid we mon byd still. 1567Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 89 The peple follow man, on neid, Thir prelatis.
3. a. Necessity arising from the facts or circumstances of the case. Chiefly in phr. if (etc.) need require, if need be (or were).
c900tr. Bæda's Hist. i. xxvii. 86 Þa symbelnesse to mærsienne mæssesonges, ᵹif þæt ned abædeþ. c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 215 Swo hoh [= ought] ech chirche socne don þenne hie nede sen. a1300Cursor M. 14913 Fast it neghes to þe nede For his to suffur passion. 1389in Eng. Gilds (1870) 8 That he haue þo torches redy to brynge hym withe to cherche ȝif nede be. 1390Gower Conf. I. 117 Thou, which art withoute nede For lawe of londe in such a drede. 14..Gesta Rom. xxxiii. 128 (Harl. MS.), I wolde for his love shede my blode, yf nede wer. 1503in Surtees Misc. (1890) 30 For reparacionz, when neide requierethe. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 242 Archers to comfort them that were most wearie, if neede were. 1600J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa v. 254 To the end he might finde safe refuge when neede required. 1640Brome Sparagus Gard. ii. iii, Learne to shift for myselfe in time and need be. a1687Petty Pol. Arith. viii. (1691) 105 There may be about six Millions.., which (if need require) might actually Labour. 1747Wesley Prim. Physick (1762) 32 Repeat this if Need be. 1808Scott Marm. ii. iv, To hold A chapter,..And if need were to doom to death.
b. In later use with there is expressed or implied. (Only with qualifying word as what, little, no, etc.)
a1600Hooker Eccl. Pol. viii. vi. §11 What need was there that they should bargain with the cardinal? 1624in Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.) 408 Little neede there was and lesse reason, the ship should stay. 1667Milton P.L. viii. 420 No need that thou Shouldst propagat, already infinite. 1724Swift Drapier's Lett. iii. Wks. 1751 VIII. 312 But what need is there of disputing. 1845F. E. Paget Tales Village Childr. Ser. ii. 40 There was no need of you to confess it.
†4.
a. need is, or it is need, it is necessary or needful that or to (with inf.). Also with adjs. as great need, etc. Obs.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xviii. 7 Ned vel ðarflic is..þæt hia cyme ondspyrniso. c1000ælfric Hom. I. 516 Neod is þæt æswicunga cumon. c1175Lamb. Hom. 9 Hit is muchel neot þet we þonkien ure drihten. a1225Ancr. R. 110 Hit is neod forte habben þe betere warde. a1300Cursor M. 19589 [To] do penance ned es i-nogh. Ibid. 20225 Now is ned þat i haf o þe deuil na dred. c1380Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 18 If no man hadde partid from God bi synne, it hadde be noo nede to make siche feestis. c1450Holland Howlat 33 All thar names to nevyn as now it nocht neid is. 1556Aurelio & Isab. (1608) G vj, It is neade unto hus to abyde overcommen. 1676Hale Contempl. i. 351 The best of men are visited with them, and it is but need they should.
†b. With dat. of the person concerned. Obs.
c975Rushw. Gosp. John xvi. 30 Ne ned is ðe þæte hwelc ðec ᵹifregne. c1055Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia VIII. 317 Me ys neod þæt ic menge þæt lyden amang þissum englisce. c1175Lamb. Hom. 37 Ne reccheð crist nane leasunge ne him nis na neoð. c1220Bestiary 181 Newe ðe fordi so ðe neddre doð; It is te ned. a1300Cursor M. 10852 Es þe na nede to be radd.
5. In predicative use: Necessary, needful. In early use also with adjs. Now rare.
In some cases (as c 1386) an elliptic use of 4 a.
c1000ælfric Hom. II. 590 Þæt man underfo mare þonne his lichaman neod sy. c1175Lamb. Hom. 11 Muchel is us þenne neod..sod scrift. a1225Ancr. R. 180 To þe uttre temptaciun is neod pacience... To þe inre is neod wisdom & gostlich strencðe. c1290St. Brandan 578 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 235 Þe ston..In one weiȝe ich hyne fond þare non neode nas no ston. c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋855 Crist loved holy chirche..so wel that he deyed for it; so schulde a man for his wyf, if it were neede. c1400Mandeville (1839) xxvii. 270 In the yle of Cathay, men fynden alle maner thing that is nede to man. 1450–80tr. Secreta Secret. 12 It is a precious and an honurabille thing to a kyng forto..speke but litille but if it be nede. 1535Cranmer Let. in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) II. 311 Whose labours and endeavours were never more need to be had. 1849Trench Sacr. Lat. Poetry Pref. 6 Some Reformed Churches..have..made themselves much poorer than was need.
6. a. to have need to, to be under a necessity to do something, to require to. † Also with omission of to, and with that.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xiv. 16 Nabbas ned..þæt hia ᵹegæ. c1000Ags. Gosp. ibid., Nabbað hi neode to farenne. c1375Cursor M. 19589 (Fairf.), Þou has nede to do penance I-nogh. c1380Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 224 Al Cristene men han nede to knowe bileve of þe gospel. 1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) v. xi. 103 Nede hadde he none to wesshen hym selue. 1456Paston Lett. I. 375 Ye have nede fare fayre with hym, for he ys full daungerouse. 15941st Pt. Contention (1843) 50 George... They have bene up this two daies. Nicke. Then they had more need to go to bed now. 1611Shakes. Cymb. ii. iii. 67 We shall haue neede T'employ you towards this Romane. 1850O. Winslow Inner Life ii. 55 The best of saints have need to be warned against the worst of sins.
b. In pret. had need to, would require to, ought to. (Common in 16–17th c.)
c1380Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 26 Þei ben worse than frentikes, and so þei hadden nede to be chastised til þis passion were fro hem. 1472Paston Lett. III. 34 And ye purpose to bargayn with hym, ye had need to hye yow. 1548Udall Erasm. Par. Luke ix. 85 b, Therunto had we nede to haue a good summe of money. 1620E. Blount Horæ Subs. 456 Women, as the weaker vessels, had need to be very careful. 1675Cotton Scoffer Scoft Wks. (1725) 252 He who to determine is Of such a tickle-point as this, Had need to have his Wits about him. 1843Carlyle Past & Pr. iii. xii, The Unseen Powers had need to watch over such a man. 1879Geo. Eliot Theo. Such 129 If the bad-tempered man wants to apologize, he had need to do it on a large public scale.
c. So with omission of to.
In sentences of this form need tends to lose its distinct substantival character and to become only a modifying element attached to the verb.
1461Paston Lett. II. 13 Ye had nede send a man byfore,..that no thing be to seke. c1580G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 175 It had neede be a high point of pollicie that should rob Master Machiavel of his pollicie. 1607–12Bacon Ess., Seditions (Arb.) 390 Sheapardes of people had neede knowe the Kalenders of Tempestes in State. 1681Hickeringill Sin Man-catching Wks. 1716 I. 191 They had need be Men of Cunning and Ability that can swear thorow-stitch and cleverly. 1753L. M. tr. Du Bosc's Accomplished Woman II. 80 Morality had need employ its strongest reasonings. 1834Beckford Italy II. 233 The Portuguese had need have the stomachs of ostriches. 1863Cowden Clarke Shaks. Char. i. 19 Men had need bear ‘charmed lives’.
7. a. Imperative call or demand for the presence, possession, etc., of something. † Also const. to.
a908in Birch Cart. Sax. II. 280 Þenne þæs nud bið, his men beon ᵹearuwe ᵹe to ripe ᵹe to huntoðe. c1000ælfric Hom. I. 140 Nis Gode nan neod ure æhta. c1300St. Brandan 573 In a wei ich him fond ligge, there no neod nas to ston. a1300Cursor M. 16280 O wijtnes es na nede. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 311 Stronger, if need were Of outward strength. 1766Fordyce Serm. Yng. Wm. II. ix. 91 Who does not see the need of Piety? 1802Med. Jrnl. VIII. 142 They were never in danger of losing any; and therefore there was no need of the new discovery. 1874Green Short Hist. iv. § 5. 200 The crisis had taught the need of further securities against the royal power.
b. In phr. to have need of († to, † unto) the thing required.
c1200Ormin 7373 Alle þa Þatt hafenn ned off hellpe. Ibid. 11582 He wass mann..Þatt haffde ned to fode. c1250Lutel Soth Serm. 12 in O.E. Misc. 186 To ȝiuernesse and prude none neode he nedde. c1320Sir Tristr. 1722 Þer of hadde sche no nede. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 445 What nede hast þou to riches? 1426Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 815 Thow shalt me call in dede, Whan thow hast on-to me nede. 1484Caxton Fables of Poge i, His hows..had grete nede of reparacion. 1523Fitzherb. Husb. §24 The teth wyll fall out whan he hath moost nede to them. 1611Bible Transl. Pref. ⁋3 A wastefull Prince, that had neede of a Guardian. 1671Milton P.R. ii. 253 Nature hath need of what she asks. 1753L. M. tr. Du Bosc's Accompl. Woman I. 25 Innocence itself hath as much need of a mask or veil as the Face. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 156 Was he to be ranked with men who had no need of the royal clemency? 1853J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. i. i. 6 The Tartars..have in their wars no need of any commissariat at all.
†c. Const. with direct object: To need, require. Obs.
c1375Cursor M. 12929 (Fairf.), Þorou kinde of his manhede þat fode of body has ay nede. 1557North Gueuara's Diall Pr. i. xxxviii. (1568) 56 To kepe himselfe only from one evyl man, he had nede both hands, feete, and frends. 1667Milton P.L. ii. 413 Here he had need All circumspection. 1671― Samson 1107 Thou hast need much washing to be toucht.
8. to have need, to be in straits or in want. (Also ellipt. for 7 b.) Now rare or Obs.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. Mark ii. 25 Huæt dyde David ða ned hæfde & hyngerde. c1200Vices & Virtues 11 We sculen bliðeliche ȝiuen and leanen, wið uten erðliche mede, alle ðe niede habbeð. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 411 If he willefuly begge, and haves no nede, he is a schrewid begger, reproved of God. c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. iv. (1885) 116 It is a synne to gyve no mete, drynke, clothynge or other almes to hem that haue nede. c1530R. Hilles Common-pl. Bk. (1858) 140 He that hath nede must blowe at the cole. 1671Milton P.R. ii. 318 They all had need, I as thou seest have none.
9. a. A condition of affairs placing one in difficulty or distress; a time of difficulty, straits, or trouble; exigency, emergency.
c1000ælfric Exod. xv. 25 Þa clypode Moises to drihtne and sæde him þæs folces neode. c1205Lay. 435 Þa lette he..bi-ȝeoten wepnen & mete: Muchel wes þa neode. 1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1763 Þe king basian hii bitraiede in is nede [v.r. nude]. c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 23 Priue help of þe Scottes he had at his nede. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xi. 28 Þow shalt fynde fortune þe faille at þi moste nede. a1450Le Morte Arth. 1706 And hym ned by-stode, Many a lande wolde with hym holde. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xii. 286 At the nede the frende is knowen. c1530Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 322 Whan nede is, than a frende is proued. 1596Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. vii. 17 He could, in tyme of neid, ather stap a trane or mak a trayne. 1633G. Herbert Temple, Collar 31 He that forbears To suit and serve his need, Deserves his load. 1684Bunyan Pilgr. ii 66, I thank you for lending me a hand at my need. 1726Watts Logic (ed. 2) ii. iii. iii. §4 And these Judgments..should be treasur'd up in the Mind, that we might have Recourse to them in Hours of Need. 1826Scott Woodst. iii, A short passage.., secured at time of need by two oaken doors. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. I. v. 399 He fell back upon his Italian cunning, and it did not fail him in his need. 1864Browning J. Lee's Wife ii. iii, God help you, sailors, at your need!
b. In phr. at (also † to) need.
c1200Ormin 12245 Ȝiff þu wære rædiȝ till To nittenn itt att nede Onn alle þa þatt haffdenn ned [etc.]. c1205Lay. 529 Brutus hefede gode Cnihtes to neode. 13..K. Alis. 2406 That scholden come, on fresche steden, Heom to socoure at most nede. 1390Gower Conf. I. 338 Wher-of they token hem to rede, And soghten frendes ate nede. c1420Anturs of Arth. xliii, Als he stode by his stede, Þat was so goode at nede. c1470Henry Wallace ii. 55 He drew a suerd at helpit him at neide. 1567Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 107 He sall deliuer the at neid. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 260 Where each To other speedie aide might lend at need. 1805Scott Last Minstr. i. xxii, Sir William of Deloraine, good at need. 1873Browning Red Cott. Nt.-cap iv. 241 This power you hold for profit of myself And all the world at need.
†c. with need, with difficulty; not easily or readily. Obs. rare.
1422tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 152 The doloure is to me so stronge, that wyth nede y may my breth wyth-drawe. Ibid. 180 Any officere that he had makyd with nethe he chaungyd but yf hit were for opyn falsnys.
10. a. A condition marked by the lack or want of some necessary thing, or requiring some extraneous aid or addition.
c1000ælfric Hom. II. 340 Ne lufode he woruldlice æhta for his neode ana, ac to dælenne eallum wædliendum. c1050O.E. Chron. (MS. C.) an. 1043 Eadsiȝe arcebisceop..hine wel lærde & to his aȝenre neode & ealles folces wel manude. c1175Lamb. Hom. 75 Ne na Mon nah him solue wernen, þenne Mon him for node þer to bide. c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 215 Þanne prest specð inne chirche of chirche neode. c1300Harrow. of Hell 38 Tho Jhesu hevide shed ys blod For oure neode upon the rod. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 471 Ȝif þurst and honger of golde come of kyndeliche nede. 1480Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxiv. 229 Ther folowed..honger, scarcite, meschyef, and nede of money. 1482Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 88 They that vsyn scarsly to her nede the godys that they haue. 1577St. Aug. Manual (Longman) 1 Thou Lorde..alwayes gathering, but not for any neede. 1667Milton P.L. v. 629 We have also our Eevning and our Morn,..for change delectable, not need. 1863Geo. Eliot Romola xxvii, The great need of her heart compelled her to strangle..every rising impulse of suspicion.
b. A state of want or destitution; lack of the means of subsistence or of necessary articles; extreme poverty or indigence.
c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 217 Nes riche non nod, ac wrecches habben michele. a1225Leg. Kath. 2428 Hwen se ha hit eauer doð in neode & in nowcin. a1300Cursor M. 21873 Hunger and qualm, and nede i-nogh In erth sal rise for mans wogh. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 47 Ȝeveþ wyn to hem..þat þey mowe drynke and forȝete here sorwe and her nede. c1400Apol. Loll. 107 If ned, or pouert of þe place, axe þat þei be occupied to gedre frutis. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 19 b, So you sholde be mercyfull to your poor neyghbour in his nede. 1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. v. i. 70 Famine is in thy cheekes; Need and opression starueth in thy eyes. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. i. 203 Jove..Remov'd from Humane reach the chearful Fire..That studious Need might useful Arts explore. 1774Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) II. 129 These, from often being in need, and as often receiving an accidental supply, pass their lives between surfeiting and repining. 1847B. Thorpe Yule-tide Stories (1888) 72 They therefore lived in great poverty, and as is but too often the case, when need crept in, love walked out.
c. Psychol. A state of physiological or psychological want that consciously or subconsciously motivates behaviour towards its satisfaction.
1929J. B. Miner tr. Piéron's Princ. Exper. Psychol. iii. 54 These instincts are generally designated by a special name..which expresses in a measure the imperious character of the tendencies; we say that they are needs. 1935K. Koffka Princ. Gestalt Psychol. viii. 329 But needs are..states of tension which persist until they are relieved. 1936Jrnl. Psychol. III. 27 Two commonly used terms for a motivational process are drive and need, and, since I cannot see that one is to be preferred to the other, I shall..use them interchangeably. Need is a concept to account for certain objective and subjective facts. 1961F. H. Sanford Psychol. viii. 200/2 The need for achievement, referred to in the literature and in the following paragraphs as n ach. 1964L. J. Bischof Interpreting Personality Theories ii. iii. 146 In studying the need structure of man, Murray found that he required criteria in order to establish that a need existed.
11. In proverbial phrases.
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xx. 10 Nede ne hath no lawe, ne neure shal falle in dette. c1440Jacob's Well 206 Ȝif þei mowe noȝt getyn here lyiflode be none of þise maners forseyde, þanne nede hath no lawe. 1480Robt. Devyll 39 Alacke, thought Robert, nede hath no cure. c1530R. Hilles Common-pl. Bk. (1858) 140 Nede makyth the old wyffe to trotte. 1562J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 20 Neede hath no lawe, neede maketh hir hither iet. 1655Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 233 Need makes trott, but contempt makes vs run on the Pikes rather then moulder away. 1712Steele Spec. No. 509 ⁋6, I think, a Speculation upon..It is Need that makes the old Wife trot, would be very useful to the World.
II.
†12.
a. A matter requiring action to be taken; something falling necessarily to be done; a piece of necessary business. In later use chiefly pl. Also good need, good service. Obs.
c900tr. Bæda's Hist. iii. iii. [v.] (1890) 160 Ne he on horses hricᵹe cuman wolde, nemne hwilc mare nyd abædde. c1000ælfric Saints' Lives vi. 290 Siððan nolde maurus of ðam mynstre faran for nanre neode. a1122O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 675 Ouðer for lauerdes neode..ouðer for hwilces sinnes oðer neod, he ne muᵹe þær comen. a1250Owl & Night. 388 [They] doth bi niȝte gode noede. 1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 8324 Þe Cristene ost..hopede do gode nede, ac bote lute worþ it nas. c1330R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12563 Þe messegers þat wente þo nedes, Horsed þem on gode stedes. c1400Destr. Troy 11519 Þat erend for to wend With hym-seluyn, for-sothe, on þe same nedis. 1508Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 467, I have ane secrete serwand.. That me supportis of sic nedis.
†b. Chiefly pl. One's errands or business. Obs.
c1000ælfric Hom. I. 290 He wolde gan embe his neode forð. c1205Lay. 29452 Þa wes hit..Þat þe pape wolde wenden..an ane of his neoden. a1300Cursor M. 24827 Quen all his nedis wele war dun Þai dightid him his scipping son. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 375 Owen..dwelled al his lyf tyme afterward in þe nedes of þe abbay of Ludensis. c1400Rule St. Benet (Prose) 12 Lokys þat ye do wel, þat yure angel may do yure nedis to god. 1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 442 b/1 In his nedes or besynesse to werke trewely and wel. a1550Freiris Berwik 463 in Dunbar's Poems (1893) 300, I wait nocht gif ȝe ma ay cum hidder Quhen that we want our neidis sic as this.
c. Offices of nature. Now dial.
1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 6338 Þe king þer to com..is nede uor to do, Þe luþer þef..smot him þoru þe fondement. 1573Baret Alv. s.v. Priuie, He is gone to the priuie or to doe his needes. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. iii. iii. ii. i. (1676) 370/2 She shall not go forth of his sight, so much as to do her needs.
13. A particular point or respect in which some necessity or want is present or is felt.
c1000ælfric Hom. I. 272 Ealle ure neoda, æᵹðer ᵹe gastlice ᵹe lichamlice, ðæron sind belocene. c1300Beket 97 As hit were at a Parlement for Neodes of the londe. 1450–80tr. Secreta Secret. 5 Y haue hastid me and ordeynyd me to make a book for the, the which shalle conteyne alle thi nedes. 1603Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. ii. 151 The very streame of his life..must, vppon a warranted neede, giue him a better proclamation. a1716Bp. O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. 543 We ought to be content if we have now so much as will serve our present Needs. 1795–1814Wordsw. Excurs. iii. 796, I..promptly seized All that Abstraction furnished for my needs. 1874Symonds Sk. Italy & Greece (1898) I. i. 3 Improved arts of life had freed men from servile subjection to daily needs.
†14.
a. at a need, in an emergency or crisis.
a1122O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1101 Hi sume æft æt þære neode abruðon, & fram þam cynge ᵹecyrdon. c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 35 He was boþe gode & wys..& right vnderstandyng, to help at alle nedis. 1375Barbour Bruce ii. 231 He had thar, at that ned, Full feill that war douchty off deid. c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 755 Wherfore hit behoueth to helpe at thys nede. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 222 Bayarde, whiche shall maye bere vs all four at a nede.
†b. So in a need. Obs.
c1250Kent. Serm. in O.E Misc. 32 Þet se þet sucurede hem ine þa peril;..us sucuri in ure niedes. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 3614 Þai may in þat nede Be boght fra payn thurgh almusdede. a1400–50Alexander 2518 Alexander..Naytis him-selfe in ilke nede & so his name rysis. c1450Merlin 678 In many a nede he hadde hym socoured.
†c. for a need, in an emergency, at a pinch.
1562Turner Herbal iii. (1568) 25 He maye for a nede occupye this herbe. c1585R. Browne Answ. Cartwright 47 For a neede, reading ministers may bee in the Churche in steade of preaching ministers. 1647Ward Simp. Cobler 8 He..will for a need hang God's Bible at the Devills girdle.
15. attrib. and Comb., as need-achievement, need condition, need-disposition, need pattern, need-push; needs analysis, needs test; † need-(be)stead a., in difficulty or danger; † need-doer, trader; † need-doing, trading, traffic; † need-gates adv., of necessity; need-rooted a., fixed by necessity; † need-sweat, sweat of distress.
Attributive and other combs. of níed-, nýd-, etc., are numerous in OE. See also Du Cange s.v. Nydbedripes.
1971F. H. Farley in H. J. Eysenck Readings in Extraversion-Introversion III. xlv. 406 The personality variables of anxiety and need-achievement were considered.
1456Sir. G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 251 And thai war nede bestad of lyfing..I wald counsale that thai war refreschit with bathe mete and drink.
1960N. Maier in Kaplan & Wapner Perspectives Psychol. Theory 153 Like all need conditions, social needs select goal-oriented behaviors.
1951Parsons & Shils Toward Gen. Theory Action i. i. 18 The child's development of a ‘personality’..is to be viewed as the establishment of a relatively specific, definite, and consistent system of need-dispositions. 1958D. Emmett Function, Purpose & Powers 30 From the point of view of any given actor in the system it is both a mode of the fulfilment of his own need-dispositions and a condition of ‘optimizing’ the reactions of other significant actors.
1382Wyclif Isa. xxiii. 8 Tirun..whos nededoeres princes, his marchaunders noble men of the erthe. Ibid. 18 His nede doyngus and his meedus shuln ben halewid to the Lord.
c1375Cursor M. 2450 (Fairf.), Þaire fee nedegates most þai flitt.
1947G. Murphy Personality iii. xvi. 395 It would seem that mood or need patterns can intensify and enrich the world of images. Ibid. 992/1 Need pattern, total organization of the needs of the organism.
1951Parsons & Shils Toward Gen. Theory Action iii. iii. 308 Identification does involve..locomotion away from some other region of valenced activity because of the stronger need-push to get to the region of love and approval.
1850Lynch Theoph. Trinal xii. 233 Need-rooted here on earth we are.
1969J. Argenti Managem. Techniques 175 Needs analysis, then, consists of systematically examining the requirements of each job and comparing these with the skills of the incumbent of, or an applicant for, the job.
c1450St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 5492 He was anes nede-stad in þe se.
1932Ann. Reg. 1931 i. iv. 102 By the regulations issued by the Ministry of Labour in October, the task of applying the ‘needs test’ to applicants for transitional benefit had been left to the Public Assistance Committees. 1940Economist 29 June 1106/2 The chief objection is..that it introduces another needs test. It is now possible that in the same household there will be a means test for an unemployed member..and a means test for pensions of war.
a1225Ancr. R. 110 So ful of anguise was þet ilke ned swot þet com of his licome.
Add:[10.] [c.] Also in more general sense, freq. with for or to and infinitive.
1914G. B. Shaw Misalliance Pref. p. ci, The child's personal subjective need for a religion. a1930D. H. Lawrence New Eve & Old Adam iii, in Mod. Lover (1934) 154 He was a rather fine-hearted young man, with a human need to live. 1945E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited i. v. 95 His year of anarchy had filled a deep, interior need of his, the escape from reality. 1959J. Barzun House of Intellect i. 26 What Intellect satisfies in us is the need for orderly and perspicuous expression. 1960C. Day Lewis Buried Day i. 21 The need for my mother—a need of which I was never conscious—made me warmly reponsive to physical tenderness. 1981A. Hutschnecker Hope vii. 121 Thinkers, writers, painters, and other people feel an inner need to create goals for themselves. 1987H. Bailey Vera Brittain iii. 101 Her need to be needed tempted the others to exploit her.
▪ II. † need, v.1 Obs.
Forms: 1 níedan, nídan, nýdan, nédan, 2 néoden, 2–5 néde(n), 4 neede.
[OE. níędan etc., f. néad need n., = OFris. nêda, OS. nôdian, MDu. and MLG. nôden (Du. nooden), OHG. nôtjan, nôten (G. nöten, nöthen), ON. neyða (Sw. nöda, Da. nöde), Goth. nauþjan. OE. had also the form néadian in the same sense.]
1. trans. To exercise constraint or compulsion upon (one).
c825Vesp. Hymn vii. 41 Hie in hatheortnisse neddun mec. c888K. ælfred Boeth. xvi. §1 ᵹ if..hwelce mus wære hlaford ofer oðre mys..& nedde hie æfter gafole. c950Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xxiv. 29 [Hia] nedon hine, cuoeðendo, ‘wuna usiᵹ mið’. c1175Lamb. Hom. 15 Hit is riht þet me us nede and isegge þet sceamie. c1220Bestiary 216 Nedeð ðe ðe deuel nogt. 1496Dives & Paup. (W. de W.) i. xix. 53/1 His..werkes be not neded ne arted by the planetes.
2. To constrain, compel, or force to a thing.
c888K. ælfred Boeth. xli. §4 Ac he us ne ned no þy hraðor to þæm þæt we nede scylen good don. 971Blickl. Hom. 213 Þa nyddon hine hys yldran toðæm þæt he sceolde..wæpnum onfon. a1122O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1114 Þa neodde he him to þam biscoprice of Hrofeceastre. a1300Cursor M. 27992 If þou..nedd þe euer þar-till at force womman agayn hir will. c1380Wyclif Wks. (1880) 265 Holy writt old & newe & cristis lif..neden hem to mekenesse & wilful traueile. a1400–50Alexander 1819 The saȝes of ȝour souerayn..Nedis me to slike notis as I had neuer etlid.
b. Const. with inf. (Freq. in Wyclif.)
c1000ælfric Hom. II. 376 Far nu ᵹeond weᵹas & heᵹas, & nyd hi inn to farenne. c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 179 Ȝif he net him to ȝiuene, þat beoð strengðe and refloc. a1225Ancr. R. 72 Þeonne is hit ined aȝein uor to climben upward. a1300Cursor M. 16596 Him þai can to nede At tak þe tan end o þe tre. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 358 Aftir þat þis prelat ordeyneþ ben sugettis nedid for to do. c1449Pecock Repr. iii. vii. 320 Tho..whiche were nedid..forto lyue in thilk maner.
▪ III. need, v.2|niːd|
Forms: 1 néodian, 3–5 neoden, neden, (5 -yn), 3–6 nede, 4–7 neede, (5–7 Sc. neid, 5 neyd, 6 neade, 7 nead, nied), 4– need.
[OE. néodian (rare), f. néod need n. Cf. MHG. nôten, G. (dial.) nothen, nöthen, in the same senses.
The irregular form need in the 3rd pers. sing. of the present tense (in place of needs or needeth) becomes fairly common in the 16th c., and is now usual in the forms of expression mentioned in the note to sense 8.]
I. intr.
†1.
a. it needs, it is needful or necessary. Usu. const. with that or inf., and sometimes with it omitted. Obs.
c960æthelwold Rule St. Benet (Schröer) 89 On cealdum eardum neodað, þæt þæs reafes mare sy. a1225Ancr. R. 20 Ȝe muwen siggen Preciosa biuoren & efter vhtsong anon ȝif hit so neodeð. 13..K. Alis. 6525 Hit nedeth nothyng to wond. Hit is a best founde in boke. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints x. (Matthew) 211 It nedyt þat he suld mak a tempil. c1440Generydes 2893 It nedeth not to make all this arraye. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon vii. 167 Of Rowlande nedeth not to speke. 1503Waterf. Arch. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 324 The owners of all suche nettis shall repaire them when it nedith. 1575–85Abp. Sandys Serm. (Parker Soc.) 357 To seek out many expositions of these words, it shall not need. 1634Canne Necess. Separ. 24, I could produce many others of them,..but it needs not. 1765H. Walpole Otranto v, ‘It needs not’..‘the horrors of these days..corroborate thy evidence’.
†b. what needs..? what need is there (to do something)? Obs.
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xvii. 30 What neded it thanne a newe lawe to bigynne..? c1470Gol. & Gaw. 506 ‘Quhat nedis’, said Spinagrus, ‘sic notis to nevin?’ 1551Recorde Pathw. Knowl. Ep. King, What needeth to alledge one sentence of him? 1641Milton Reform. ii. 69 Seeke onely Vertue, not to extend your Limits; for what needs?
c. needs not, it is not necessary to. rare.
1865W. G. Palgrave Arabia I. 112 Needs not say how lovely are the summer evenings. Ibid. 451.
2. a. there needs, there is need for (some thing or person); there requires or is requisite.
1440Paston Lett. I. 39, I hope there shall nede no gret trete be twyxe hym. 1539Cranmer Let. in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) II. 393, I know your lordship's discretion is such that there need no such monition in this behalf. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, iii. vii. 104 There needes no such Apologie. 1613Purchas Pilgrimage i. iv. 15 There needeth some Herald to shew the true petigree. a1687Petty Pol. Arith. ix. (1691) 111 There needs but one Million to pay the said Rents. 1813Shelley Q. Mab iii. 79 There needeth not the hell that bigots frame. 1879Spencer Data Eth. viii. §50. 135 There needs great subordination to men who command.
†b. what needs..? what need is there for (something)? Obs.
c1386Chaucer Man of Law's T. 134 What needeth gretter dilatacioun? c1470Henry Wallace iii. 28 Lord Persye said; ‘Quhat nedis wordis mor?’ 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 110 b, What shoulde this obligation nede? 1592Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 250 Struck dead at first, what needs a second striking? 1662Stillingfl. Orig. Sacræ ii. iii. §7 Was this a duty before these miracles, or no? if it was, what need miracles to confirm it?
c. it needs, it requires.
1839Times 19 Oct., It needed not, nevertheless, the published correspondence of such a hero to convince us. 1853M. Arnold Scholar Gypsy v, It needs heaven-sent moments for this skill.
3. Of things: To be needful or necessary.
1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 163 That he forme & pronounce euery lettre & syllable..with more diligence than nedeth. 1545R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. (Arb.) 139 Stoppynge of heades..wyth leade..shall not nede now. 1610Day Festivals iii. (1615) 63 That in this place..are meant the Dead, is a Note perhaps that needes not. 1663Gerbier Counsel 25 Waste no more than needs in Slabs. 1687Dryden Hind & P. iii. 468 But little learning needs in noble blood. 1846Browning Soul's Trag. i. 22 Lest you, even more than needs, embitter Our parting.
II.
†4.
a. To be needful or necessary to a person, or (more usually) to some end or purpose. Obs.
a1225Ancr. R. 414 Non ancre ne ouh forto nimen bute gnedeliche þet hire to neodeð. 1375Barbour Bruce iii. 692 Thai..maid redy..all that nedyt to schipfar. 1393Langl. P. Pl. C. vi. 20 Eny oþer kyns craft þat to þe comune nedeþ. 1470–85Malory Arthur viii. iv. 278 He hadde al thynge that to hym neded. 1496Fysshynge w. Angle (1883) 11 It shall be also fyne a tawney colour as nedyth to our purpoos.
†b. With dative of person. Obs.
1362Langl. P. Pl. A. xi. 187 Seken out þe seke & sende hem þat hem nediþ. a1400Hylton Scala Perf. (W. de W. 1494) i. xxiv, He knoweth wel ynough what the nedeth. c1485Digby Myst. (1882) v. 664 We haue that nedith vs, so thryve I. 1597Bp. Hall Sat., Defiance to Envie 25 Needs me then hope, or doth me need mis-dread. 1691Andros Tracts (1869) II. 248 What need us so many Instances abroad?
†5. Impersonally:
a. To be necessary for (one) to do something. Obs.
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xi. 282 Þanne nedeth nouȝte ȝow to take syluer for masses þat ȝe syngen. c1400Destr. Troy 11309 Hit nedis vs another way now for to laite. c1450Mirour Saluacioun 939 Me nedes fro hire presence withdrawe me prively. a1533Ld. Berners Huon lxxxi. 242 It nede not you to demaunde for ye are lyke to knowe it to soone. 1590Spenser F.Q. i. i. 26 Now needeth him no lenger labour spend.
†b. So what need(s)..? why should (one)?
c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xxxviii. (Adrian) 197 Quhat ned þe to begyne þe thing þat þu mycht nocht bring til ending? c1386Chaucer Sompn. T. 292 What nedith yow, Thomas, to make strif? 1535Coverdale Eccl. ii. 15 What nedeth me then to laboure eny more for wyszdome? 1550Latimer Last Serm. bef. Edw. VI, Wks. (Parker Soc.) I. 244 What should need me to give a penny to have my bills warranted? 1597Bp. Hall Sat. ii. ii. 30 What needes me care for any bookish skill?
†c. (it) needs one, one has need (of something). Also const. of and that. Obs.
1362Langl. P. Pl. A. xi. 50 Þat lord..Þat þus parteþ with þe pore A parcel whon him neodeþ. 1390Gower Conf. I. 272 The nedeth of non other leche. c1420Pallad. on Husb. i. 261 Yf thee nede In londis salt that treen or graynys growe. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xxii. 490, I can well aske brede whan me nedeth. 1508Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 264 And quhen it nedis ȝow, onone, note baith ther stranthis.
III. †6. To have need of (also to) a thing. Obs.
c1200Ormin 6161 Fremmde menn, Þat nedenn to þin hellpe. a1450Fysshynge w. Angle (1883) 1 He schall make iij thynges hys medicens or leches and he schall neuer neyd to mo. a1533Ld. Berners Huon ci. 329 Yf ye nede of ony ayde, take my horne and blowe it. 1598R. Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. xiv. xii. (1622) 213 If at any time the common-wealth should neede of counsell.
7. a. trans. To stand in need of, to require (some thing or person).
1382Wyclif Gen. xxxiii. 15 This oon oonliche Y nede, that Y fynde grace in thi siȝt. c1400Apol. Loll. 81 Men nedyn euer þe counseil of God, to led hem in al þingis. c1475Rauf Coilȝear 546, I neid nane airar myne erand nor none of the day. 1530Palsgr. 643/2 It is veryly the thyng that we nede. Ibid., And shall we nede an habyt or a cope. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 768, I trust, quod he, we shall not neede it. a1628Preston New Covt. (1634) 68 There is nothing that you neede, nothing that you want, but it shall be supplyed. 1667Milton P.L. iv. 617 Other Creatures all day long Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest. 1741–2Gray Agrip. 2 The message needs no comment. 1837Dickens Pickw. vii, Pickwick needed no second invitation. 1871Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV. xx. 604 Such a deed needed a worse man than was needed for any of William's earlier deeds.
(b) spec. In colloq. phrases implying that something is completely unnecessary or unwanted, as who needs it? [tr. Yiddish ver darf es?]; to need (something) like a hole in the head: see hole n. 11. orig. U.S.
1951, etc. [see hole n. 11]. 1960Mademoiselle Jan. 34/2 Popular idiom deals best with racial prejudice: ‘Who needs it?’ 1960N.Y. Post 24 Feb. 56/5 Who needs them? 1962Sat. Even. Post 31 Mar. 70 (heading) Good news—who needs it? 1963TV Times 11 Jan. 8 It was so easy to say: ‘Education? Who needs it?’ 1968Melody Maker 23 Nov. 11/3 They envision themselves wearing berets..and crawling about the rubble, throwing Molotov cocktails. ‘But who needs Che Guevara? It's not like that.’ 1968M. Woodhouse Rock Baby xvii. 164 A twenty-two-year-old bomb disposal expert? I needed a twenty-two-year-old bomb disposal expert like I needed four more thumbs and a teen-age brain surgeon. 1973R. Hayes Hungarian Game xxxi. 185, I needed a cat like I needed a nervous breakdown. 1974New Yorker 17 June 92 True, he's one damn hell of a fine human being. But who needs him?
b. intr. To be in need or want.
1382Wyclif Ecclus. xl. 29 Betere is to dyen, than to neden. 1387–8T. Usk Test. Love ii. v. (Skeat) l. 16 Thou nedest in richesse, whiche nede thou shuldest not have, if thou hem wantest. 1671Milton P.R. ii. 251 If Nature need not, Or God support Nature without repast Though needing. 1801E. Helme St. Marg. Cave IV. 283 Money was sent him..to distribute among such of his poor neighbours as needed. 1857Heavysege Saul (1869) 153 How poor thou art to him who truly needs.
8. a. To be under a necessity or obligation to do something.
In modern usage the to is expressed except when the clause has the forms it (he, I, etc.) need not, (why) need (it, etc.)?, or is virtually equivalent to one of these.
c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 348 More þan he nediþ for to have. c1400Sowdone Bab. 3216 Be ye togeder as breth[e]rn both! No man ye nedith to drede. c1460Towneley Myst. xii. 163 Ye nede not to care if ye folow my sawe. a1533Ld. Berners Huon lxi. 212 Ye nede not to speke of any golde or syluer. 1579Fulke Heskins' Parl. 333 This is as plaine as neede to be. a1667Jer. Taylor Serm. (1673) 54 Though Christ knew it, and therefore needed not to ask. 1732Pope Ess. Man ii. 218 Vice..to be hated, needs but to be seen. 1771T. Hull Sir W. Harrington (1797) II. 9 My stooping need not to have disturbed you. 1827Southey Penins. War II. 630 He needed not to have undertaken an arduous march of 260 miles. 1842R. I. Wilberforce Rutilius & Lucius 116 They need to be taught..how vain are those objects. 1873Browning Red Cott. Nt.-cap ii. 24 Man worked here Once on a time; here needs again to work.
b. With omission of to.
Now regular in the cases mentioned in the note above, otherwise rare.
c1470Henry Wallace vii. 414 The woman..Cawkit ilk ȝett, that thai neid nocht gang by. 1538Bale Thre Lawes 1629 Hys selfe may do that, he nede commaunde non other. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 325 You neede not doubt of their vncerteintie. 1654–66Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 688, I hope I shall not need employ them to win another. a1687Petty Pol. Arith. vii. (1691) 103 A Man needs spend but a twentieth part less. 1728R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 90 How prejudicial such Proceedings are..need not be defin'd. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. III. liii. 154 This incident..needed be no surprise to him. 1818Bentham Ch. Eng., Catech. Exam. 389 The office might need be revived. 1855Tennyson Maud ii. ii. ix, Who knows..Whether I need have fled? 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 370, I need hardly ask again.
c. With omission of complementary infinitive.
1577–87Holinshed Chron. III. 917/1 Doubting that thing, that in good faith yee need not. 1665Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. iii. 197 We are often more unhappy than we need. 1710Steele Tatler No. 137 ⁋1 Some use Ten Times more Words than they need.
Hence ˈneeded ppl. a., required.
1887Pall Mall G. 1 Dec. 11/1 It is to be hoped that a needed lesson will not lose force. 1891Daily News 31 Oct. 6/3 When rich men..are appealed to for needed help.
▪ IV. † need, adv. Obs.
Forms: 1 níede, nýde, (3) néade, néode, 1–5 nede, 4 ned, 5–6 Sc. neid, (5 neyd), 5–7 need, (7 neede).
[OE. níęde, néade, etc., orig. the instrumental case of níęd, néad, need n.]
Of necessity, necessarily, etc. (Usually with shall or must: cf. needs adv.)
c893K. ælfred Oros. v. ii. §7 Ic sceal eac niede þara moneᵹena ᵹewinna ᵹeswiᵹian. 971Blickl. Hom. 49 Þis sceal se mæssepreost nede bebeodan. c1000ælfric Gen. xliii. 11 ᵹif ᵹe néade swa don sceolon, doð swa ᵹe wyllon. a1122O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1006 Man nyde moste þam [here] gafol ᵹyldan. c1205Lay. 1052 Heo mot nede beien Þe mon þe ibunden bið. 1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 787 He bileuede as he nede moste vorþ mid one kniȝte. c1320Cast. Love 572 Then most it nede be,..That Goddys sone shuld mon be come. c1380Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 222 As þe first mut nede be good, so þe toþer mut nede be yvel. c1450Merlin 611 Seth yow be-hove nede for to go. 1500–20Dunbar Poems xxx. 12 Cleith the thairin, for weir it thow most neid. 1614Day Festivals xi. (1615) 307 She must need be above an Hundred. 1631Heylin St. George 72 His good Horse Arundell, from whence the ancient Castel of that name, must neede be call'd so. 1732De Foe Eng. Tradesman I. Suppl. 446 Perhaps they are in hurry enough, or indeed too much for any more concern than need must.
b. With will or would: see needs adv.
1641J. Trappe Theol. Theol. 347 Yet they will need be the only Musulmans, that is, right Beleevers. 1654D. Osborne Lett. (1888) 246 Jane would need make me some for them and myself. |