![]() noun The early part or springtime of life.noun The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.verb are used as equivalent to possibly, perhaps, maybe, by chance, peradventure.verb Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like.verb Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark.verb Contingency or liability possibility or probability.verb Ability, competency, or possibility - now oftener expressed by can.noun In Cambridge University, England, the Easter-term examination.įrom the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.noun The festivities or games of May-day.noun Some other plant, especially species of Spiræa: as, Italian may.noun The hawthorn: so called because it blooms in May.noun Figuratively, the early part or springtime of life.noun The fifth month of the year, consisting of thirty-one days, reckoned on the continent of Europe and in America as the last month of spring, but in Great Britain commonly as the first of summer. ![]() In law, may in a statute is usually interpreted to mean must, when used not to confer a favor, but to impose a duty in the exercise of which the statute shows that the public or private persons are to be regarded as having an interest.In this sense might is often used for a wish contrary to what can or must be: as, O that I might recall him from the grave ! To indicate desire, as in prayer, aspiration, imprecation, benediction, and the like.In this sense may is scarcely used now in negative clauses, as permission refused amounts to an absolute prohibition, and accordingly removes all doubt or contingency.To indicate opportunity, moral power, or the absolute power residing in another agent.The preterit might is similarly used, with some slight addition of contempt.Sometimes may is used merely to avoid a certain bluntness in putting a question, or to suggest doubt as to whether the person to whom the question is addressed will be able to answer it definitely.In this sense, when a negative clause was followed by a contingent clause with if, may in the latter clause was formerly used elliptically, if I may meaning ‘if I can control it’ or ‘prevent it.’.To indicate possibility with contingency.As an independent verb, or as a quasi-auxiliary: To have power have ability be able can. To celebrate May-day take part in the festivities of Mayday: chiefly or only in the verbal noun maying and the derivative mayer: as, to go a maying.auxiliary verb To be obliged, as where rules of construction or legal doctrine call for a specified interpretation of a word used in a law or legal document.auxiliary verb Used to express contingency, purpose, or result in clauses introduced by that or so that.auxiliary verb Used to express a desire or fervent wish.auxiliary verb Used to indicate a certain measure of likelihood or possibility.auxiliary verb To be allowed or permitted to.From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
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