may 1
/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. might 1 .
[ bef. 900; ME mai 1st and 3rd pers. sing. pres. ind. of mouen, OE maeg (inf. magan ); c. G mögen ]
Usage . See can 1 .
may 2
/may/ , n. Archaic.
a maiden.
[ bef. 900; ME mai; OE maeg ]