may

may
may1
/may/, auxiliary v., pres. sing. 1st pers. may, 2nd may or (Archaic) mayest or mayst, 3rd may; pres. pl. may; past might.
1. (used to express possibility): It may rain.
2. (used to express opportunity or permission): You may enter.
3. (used to express contingency, esp. in clauses indicating condition, concession, purpose, result, etc.): I may be wrong but I think you would be wise to go. Times may change but human nature stays the same.
4. (used to express wish or prayer): May you live to an old age.
5. Archaic. (used to express ability or power.) Cf. might1.
[bef. 900; ME mai 1st and 3rd pers. sing. pres. ind. of mouen, OE maeg (inf. magan); c. G mögen]
Usage. See can1.
may2
/may/, n. Archaic.
a maiden.
[bef. 900; ME mai; OE maeg]

* * *

(as used in expressions)
Alcott Louisa May
Fifth of May
May beetle
Lessing Doris May
Doris May Tayler
Gloria May Josephine Svensson

* * *

▪ month
 fifth month of the Gregorian calendar. It was named after Maia, a Roman fertility goddess.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

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