may

May is defined as possible or permissible.

(verb)

See may in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: 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

noun

Archaic a maiden

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

noun

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
the festivities of May Day

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

noun

a feminine name

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

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

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

See may in American Heritage Dictionary 4

aux.v. Past tense might might (mīt)

To be allowed or permitted to: May I take a swim? Yes, you may.
Used to indicate a certain measure of likelihood or possibility: It may rain this afternoon.
Used to express a desire or fervent wish: Long may he live!
Used to express contingency, purpose, or result in clauses introduced by that or so that: expressing ideas so that the average person may understand.
To be obliged; must. Used in statutes, deeds, and other legal documents. See Usage Note at can¹.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, to be able

Origin: , from Old English mǽg

Origin: , first and third person sing. of magan, to be strong, be able; see magh- in Indo-European roots

noun
Chiefly British

The blossoms of the hawthorn.

Origin:

Origin: French mai, hawthorn

Origin: , from Mai, May (so called because it blooms in May); see may

noun