英和和英

語源

Need is a noun, be a subjunctive. Perhaps an alteration of 古期英語 phrases like ġif þearf bēo, literally "if need be". That phrase would have been completely unidiomatic, equivalent to "if a need exists" or "if there is a need". This is because (1) 古期英語 had no indefinite article, (2) the word for "to be" was also the default word for "to exist" and translates the modern phrase "there is", and (3) the subjunctive mood was much more common and often translates the Modern English indicative.

発音

副詞

if need be

1. (idiomatic) If necessary; if there is a need.

引用

• For quotations using this term, see Citations:if need be.

参考

• needs must