Crossword Genius

Should be anything or nothing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ought

I believe this is a triple definition!

'should be' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)

'anything' is the second definition.
(dialect term for 'anything')

'or' acts as a link.

'nothing' is the third definition.
(I've seen this before)

(Other definitions for ought that I've seen before include "Strange thing" , "Has a duty (to do something)" , "Should, had, better" , "Have/has a duty (to do)" , "Be logically necessary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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