may

English

/meɪ/

verb
Definitions
  • (obsolete) To be strong; to have power (over).
  • (obsolete) To be able; can.
  • (intransitive) To be able to go.
  • (modal auxiliary verb) To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.
  • (modal auxiliary verb) Expressing a present possibility; possibly.
  • (subjunctive present) Expressing a wish (with present subjunctive effect).

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English mowen (mow) inherited from Old English magan (be able to, win, use, be able, stomachs) inherited from Proto-Germanic *maganą (may, be able to, be able) inherited from Proto-Indo-European *megʰ- (be able, capable, help, be able to, power, sorcerer).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*megʰ-

Gloss

be able, capable, help, be able to, power, sorcerer

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

力

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms