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May

Symbol

Definitions

1.SymbolISO 639-2/B language code for Malay.
2.VerbTo be strong; to have power (over). .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
3.VerbTo be able; can.
4.VerbTo be able to go.
5.VerbTo have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.
"you may smoke outside; may I sit there?"
6.VerbGranting the admissibility of a supposition, in a way that can be semantically either subjunctive or indicative. Expressing a present possibility; possibly.
"he may be lying; Schrödinger's cat may or may not be in the box.; Sam may be intelligent, but he isn't wise. [This speaker does not know with certainty whether Sam is intelligent, but the speaker allows the possibility.]; A female crocodile may lay up to forty eggs. [Typical occurrence.]; You may be my boss, but that doesn't mean you can insult me.; A: Sigh. I'm bummed that Stephen Hawking died. B: Well, he may have died, but he's still alive in our hearts. [This speaker does not doubt that Stephen has died; nonetheless, the verb inflection is not different.]"
7.VerbExpressing a present possibility; possibly.
"he may be lying; Schrödinger's cat may or may not be in the box.; Sam may be intelligent, but he isn't wise. [This speaker does not know with certainty whether Sam is intelligent, but the speaker allows the possibility.]; A female crocodile may lay up to forty eggs. [Typical occurrence.]"
8.VerbExpressing a disjunctive or contrastive relation between indicative statements.
"You may be my boss, but that doesn't mean you can insult me.; A: Sigh. I'm bummed that Stephen Hawking died. B: Well, he may have died, but he's still alive in our hearts. [This speaker does not doubt that Stephen has died; nonetheless, the verb inflection is not different.]"
9.VerbExpressing a wish (with present subjunctive effect).
"may you win;  may the weather be sunny;  long may your reign last; Let us pray that peace may soon return to our war-torn homeland."
10.VerbUsed in modesty, courtesy, or concession, or to soften a question or remark.
11.NounThe hawthorn bush or its blossoms.
12.VerbTo gather may, or flowers in general.
13.VerbTo celebrate May Day.
14.NounA maiden.
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