may
may1 definition
may (mā)
auxiliary verb might
- used to express ability or power: now generally replaced by can
- used to express possibility or likelihood it may rain
- used to express permission you may go
- used to express contingency, as in clauses of purpose, result, concession, or condition they died that we may be free
- used in exclamations and apostrophes to express a wish, hope, or prayer may he rest in peace
- 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
- used to express possibility or likelihood
- used to express permission yes, you may
may2 definition
may (mā)
noun
Archaic a maiden
Etymology: ME < OE mæg, kinswoman, woman (? merged with ON mær, maiden)
May1 definition
May (mā)
noun
- the fifth month of the year, having 31 days: abbrev. M or My
- springtime
- the springtime of life; youth; prime
- the English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) with small, lobed leaves and white, pink, or red flowers
- its branches or flowers
- the festivities of May Day
Etymology: OFr mai < L (mensis) Maius, (month) of Maius: see Maia
May2 definition
May (mā)
May3 definition
May (mā)
peninsula at the southernmost point of N.J.: c. 20 mi (32 km) long
Etymology: after C. J. Mey, 17th-c. Du explorer
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