[meɪ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- expressing possibility
(e.g: that may be true)

- used to ask for or to give permission
(e.g: you may confirm my identity with your Case Officer, if you wish)

- expressing a wish or hope
(e.g: may she rest in peace)


Phrases:
- be that as it may
- may as well
- that is as may be

Origin:
Old English mæg, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning ‘have power’; related to Dutch mogen and German mögen, also to main and might

[meɪ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the hawthorn or its blossom
(e.g: the may is just barely starting to open here, but leaves are out)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from May

[meɪ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the fifth month of the year, in the northern hemisphere usually considered the last month of spring
(e.g: the new model makes its showroom debut in May)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Old English Mai, from Latin Maius (mensis) ‘(month) of the goddess Maia’; subsequently reinforced by Old French mai