may

may

may¹ [mā]

v.aux.

pt.might [ME < OE mæg, akin to Ger mag, OHG & Goth magan, lit., to be physically capable of doing < IE base * māgh-, to be able > MIGHT²]

1. used to express ability or power: now generally replaced by CAN¹

2. used to express possibility or likelihood [it may rain]

3. used to express permission [you may go]: see usage note at CAN¹

4. used to express contingency, as in clauses of purpose, result, concession, or condition [they died that we may be free]

5. used in exclamations and apostrophes to express a wish, hope, or prayer [may he rest in peace]

6. Law shall; must: As a modal auxiliary, may is followed by an infinitive without to

vi.

1. used to express possibility or likelihood

2. used to express permission [yes, you may]

may² [mā]

n.

[ME < OE mæg, kinswoman, woman (? merged with ON mær, maiden)]

Archaic a maiden