King James Bible Dictionary

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.