had
|had|
A1
/hæd/
(have)
possessing or experiencing
Etymology
Etymology Information
'had' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hæfde', which is the past tense of 'habban', meaning 'to have'.
Historical Evolution
'hæfde' transformed into the Middle English word 'hadde', and eventually became the modern English word 'had'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to possess or hold', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense of 'have', used to indicate an obligation or necessity in the past.
He had to finish his homework before going out.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42