MAY


Meaning of MAY in English

I. ˈmā verbal auxiliary

( past might ˈmīt ; present singular & plural may )

Etymology: Middle English (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English mæg; akin to Old High German mag (1st & 3d singular present indicative) have power, am able (infinitive magan ), and perhaps to Greek mēchos means, expedient

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. archaic : have the ability to

b. : have permission to

you may go now

: be free to

a rug on which children may sprawl — C. E. Silberman

— used nearly interchangeably with can

c. — used to indicate possibility or probability

you may be right

things you may need

— sometimes used interchangeably with can

one of those slipups that may happen from time to time — Jessica Mitford

— sometimes used where might would be expected

you may think from a little distance that the country was solid woods — Robert Frost

2. — used in auxiliary function to express a wish or desire especially in prayer, imprecation, or benediction

long may he reign

may the best man win

3. — used in auxiliary function expressing purpose or expectation

I laugh that I may not weep

or contingency

she'll do her duty come what may

or concession

he may be slow but he is thorough

or choice

the angler may catch them with a dip net, or he may cast a large, bare treble hook — Nelson Bryant

4. : shall , must — used in law where the sense, purpose, or policy requires this interpretation

Usage: see can

II. ˈmā noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mǣg kinsman, kinswoman, maiden

Date: before 12th century

archaic : maiden

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.