shall
Pronunciation: (shalunstressedsh&schwal), [key]
— pres. sing. 1st pers. 2nd 3rd pres. pl. past sing. 1st pers. 2nd 3rd past pl. imperative, infinitive, and participles lacking. shall, shall shalt, shall, shall should, should shouldst should•est, should, should
- plan to, intend to, or expect to: I shall go later.
- will have to, is determined to, or definitely will: You shall do it. He shall do it.
- (in laws, directives, etc.) must; is or are obliged to: The meetings of the council shall be public.
- (used interrogatively in questions, often in invitations): Shall we go?
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.