May

May

May¹ [mā]

n.

[OFr mai < L ( mensis) Maius, (month) of Maius: see MAIA]

1. the fifth month of the year, having 31 days: abbrev. M or My

2.

a) springtime

b) the springtime of life; youth; prime

3. [m-]

a) the English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) with small, lobed leaves and white, pink, or red flowers

b) its branches or flowers

4. the festivities of May Day

May² [mā]

n.

[contr. of MARY¹, MARGARET, often assoc. with the name of the month]

a feminine name

May³ [mā]

Cape [after C. J. Mey, 17th-c. Du explorer] peninsula at the southernmost point of N.J.: c. 20 mi (32 km) long