Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - may

n. 1 the fifth month of the year. 2 (may) the hawthorn or its blossom. 3 poet. bloom, prime. Phrases and idioms may-apple an American herbaceous plant, Podophyllum peltatum, bearing a yellow egg-shaped fruit in May. May-bug a cockchafer. May Day 1 May esp. as a festival with dancing, or as an international holiday in honour of workers. May queen a girl chosen to preside over celebrations on May Day. Queen of the May = May queen. Etymology: ME f. OF mai f. L Maius (mensis) (month) of the goddess Maia MAY v.aux. (3rd sing. present may; past might) 1 (often foll. by well for emphasis) expressing possibility (it may be true; I may have been wrong; you may well lose your way). 2 expressing permission (you may not go; may I come in?). Usage Both can and may are used to express permission; in more formal contexts may is usual since can also denotes capability (can I move? = am I physically able to move?; may I move = am I allowed to move?). 3 expressing a wish (may he live to regret it). 4 expressing uncertainty or irony in questions (who may you be?; who are you, may I ask?). 5 in purpose clauses and after wish, fear, etc. (take such measures as may avert disaster; hope he may succeed). Phrases and idioms be that as it may (or that is as may be) that may or may not be so (implying that there are other factors) (be that as it may, I still want to go). Etymology: OE m{aelig}g f. Gmc, rel. to MAIN(1), MIGHT(2)