may Hear it!

may¹ Definition

may ()

might

  1. used to express ability or power: now generally replaced by can
  2. used to express possibility or likelihood it may rain
  3. used to express permission you may go
  4. used to express contingency, as in clauses of purpose, result, concession, or condition they died that we may be free
  5. used in exclamations and apostrophes to express a wish, hope, or prayer may he rest in peace
  6. Law shall; must

Etymology: ME < OE mæg, akin to Ger mag, OHG & Goth magan, lit., to be physically capable of doing < IE base *māgh-, to be able > might

intransitive verb

  1. used to express possibility or likelihood
  2. used to express permission yes, you may

may² Definition

may ()

noun

Archaic a maiden

Etymology: ME < OE mæg, kinswoman, woman (? merged with ON mær, maiden)

May¹ Definition

May ()

noun

  1. the fifth month of the year, having 31 days: abbrev. M or My
    1. springtime
    2. the springtime of life; youth; prime
    1. the English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) with small, lobed leaves and white, pink, or red flowers
    2. its branches or flowers
  2. the festivities of May Day

Etymology: OFr mai < L (mensis) Maius, (month) of Maius: see Maia

May² Definition

May ()

noun

a feminine name

Etymology: contr. of Mary, Margaret, often assoc. with the name of the month

May³ Definition

May ()

peninsula at the southernmost point of N.J.: c. 20 mi (32 km) long

Etymology: after C. J. Mey, 17th-c. Du explorer

May Synonyms

May

n.

spring month, opening of the fishing season, garden month, fifth month; see month, spring 2.

may Synonyms

may

v.

  1. Grant permission

    be permitted, be allowed, can, be privileged to, be authorized, be at liberty to.

  2. Concede possibility

    will, shall, be going to, should, be conceivable, be possible, be credible, be practicable, be within reach, be obtainable; see also will 3.