~ 1
■ modal verb ( 3rd singular present ~ ; past might mʌɪt )
1》 expressing possibility.
2》 expressing permission.
3》 expressing a wish or hope.
Phrases
be that as it ~ nevertheless.
that is as ~ be that ~ or ~ not be so.
Origin
OE mæg , of Gmc origin, from a base meaning 'have power'.
Usage
Traditionalists insist that one should distinguish between ~ (present tense) and might (past tense) in expressing possibility: I ~ have some dessert if I'm still hungry ; she might have known her killer . However, this distinction is rarely observed today, and ~ and might are generally acceptable in either case.
On the difference in use between ~ and can , see usage at can 1 .
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~ 2
■ noun the hawthorn or its blossom.
Origin
ME: from May .