Verb

(obsolete) To be strong; to have power (over).

(obsolete, auxiliary) To be able; can.

*, II.3.6:

But many timeswe give way to passions we may resist and will not.

(poetic) To be able to go.

* 1600 , (William Shakespeare), (w, A Midsummer Night's Dream) , III.3:

O weary night, O long and tedious night, / Abate thy houres, shine comforts from the East, / That I may backe to Athens by day-light […].

(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.

(modal auxiliary verb, defective) Expressing a present possibility; possibly.

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=October 1, author=Phil Dawkes, work=BBC Sport

, title=[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/15045630.stm Sunderland 2-2 West Brom] , passage=The result may not quite give the Wearsiders a sweet ending to what has been a sour week, following allegations of sexual assault and drug possession against defender Titus Bramble, but it does at least demonstrate that their spirit remains strong in the face of adversity.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-06, volume=408, issue=8843, page=68, magazine=(The Economist)

, title=[http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21580518-terrible-name-interesting-trend-rise-smart-beta The rise of smart beta] , passage=Investors face a quandary. Cash offers a return of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have suffered two big bear markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension funds, insurers and endowments are searching for new sources of return.}}

(subjunctive present, defective) Expressing a wish (with present subjunctive effect).

* 1974 , (Bob Dylan),

May' God bless and keep you always / '''May''' your wishes all come true / '''May''' you always do for others / And let others do for you / '''May''' you build a ladder to the stars / And climb on every rung / ' May you stay forever young

* Prior

How old may Phillis be, you ask.

Verb

(en verb)

To gather may.

* 1922 , , VII, lines 1-2

In valleys green and still / Where lovers wander maying

Verb

(permitt)

* (Joseph Addison) (1672-1719)

Let us not aggravate our sorrows, / But to the gods permit the event of things.

To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.}}

* 1930 , "Presbytarians", Time , 19 Dec 1930:

Last week the decision on two points was conclusive: the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. will not permit' ordination of women as ministers, but will ' permit their election as ruling elders, permission which makes possible a woman as moderator.

To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to.

* 2009 , Patricia Cohen, New York Times , 17 Jan 09, p. 1:

He was ultimately cleared, but during that period, Mr. Ackman said, his lawyers would not permit him to defend himself publicly.

To allow for, to make something possible.

* 2006 , Mary Riddell, "Trident is a Weapon of Mass Destruction", The Observer , 3 Dec 06:

What was left to say? Quite a lot, if only parliamentary time permitted .

* 2009 , John Mitchell, "Clubs Preview", The Guardian , 25 Jul 09:

For snackage there's a 1950s-themed diner plus a barbie on the terrace, weather permitting .

To allow, to admit (of).

* 1910 , , "Reginald in Russia", Reginald in Russia :

‘You English are always so frivolous,’ said the Princess. ‘In Russia we have too many troubles to permit of our being light-hearted.’

* 2007 , Ian Jack, The Guardian , 22 Sep 07:

"As an instrument of economic policy, incantation does not permit of minor doubts or scruples."

(pronounced like noun) To grant formal authorization for (something).

(pronounced like noun) To attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something).