aught

Meanings

Pronoun

• anything whatsoever, any part.

Adverb

• At all, in any degree, in any respect.

Noun

• whit, the smallest part, iota.
• zero
• The digit zero as the decade in years. For example, aught-nine for 1909 or 2009.
• Estimation.
• Of importance or consequence (in the phrase "of aught").
• Esteem, respect.
• Property; possession
• Duty; place; office

Verb

• to own, possess
• to owe, be obliged or obligated to

Adjective

• possessed of

Origin

• From Middle English aught, ought, from Old English āht, from ā + wiht. More at aye, wight.
• Meaning of "zero" by confusion with naught. Used amongst those who were once called "non-U" speakers of English.
• From Middle English aught ("estimation, regard, reputation"), from Old English æht ("estimation, consideration"), from Proto-West Germanic *ahtu. Cognate with Dutch acht ("attention, regard, heed"), German Acht ("attention, regard"). Also see ettle.
• From Middle English aught, ought, from Old English ǣht, from Proto-Germanic *aihtiz ("possessions, property").
• From Middle English ahte, from Old English eahta ("eight"). More at eight.