Meaning of must needs | Babel Free

Definitions

A pleonastic intensification of must using the adverb needs, meaning “must necessarily”.

dated, no-past-participle, no-present-participle

Examples

“[…]I have⟳ spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow⟳, this strict court of Venice Must needs give⟳ sentence 'gainst the merchant there.”

“I remember⟳, before the Dwarf left the Queen, he followed us one day into thoſe gardens, and my Nurſe having ſet me down, he and I being cloſe together, near ſome Dwarf Apple trees, I muſt need⟳ ſhew my Wit, by a ſilly Alluſion between him and the Trees, which happens to hold⟳ in their Language as it doth in ours.”

“To do so would be to descend to the level of these poor peasants who are not content with a mere fiend-dog, but must needs describe⟳ him with hell-fire shooting from his mouth and eyes.”

“It seemed to him this must needs be a marvel.”

CEFR level