May
[meɪ] or [me]
Definition
(v.) An auxiliary verb qualifyng the meaning of another verb, by expressing: (a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can.
(n.) A maiden.
(n.) The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
(n.) The early part or springtime of life.
(n.) The flowers of the hawthorn; -- so called from their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn.
(n.) The merrymaking of May Day.
Inputed by Cole
Definition
n. a maid.
n. the fifth month of the year: the early or gay part of life.—v.i. to gather May (prov. Eng. the blossom of the hawthorn which blooms in May):—pr.p. May′ing.—ns. May′-bee′tle May′-bug the cockchafer; May′-bloom the hawthorn flower; May′day the first day of May; May′-dew the dew of May esp. that of the morning of the first day of May which is said to whiten linen and to enable a face washed with it to keep its beauty; May′-duke a variety of sour cherry; May′-flow′er the hawthorn which blooms in May; May′fly a short-lived fly which appears in May; May′-game sport such as is usual on 1st May frolic generally; May′ing the observance of Mayday sports and games; May′-lā′dy the queen of the May; May′-lil′y the lily of the valley so called because it blooms in May; May′-morn (Shak.) freshness like that of a morning in May vigour; May′pole a pole erected for dancing round on Mayday; May′-queen a young woman crowned with flowers as queen on Mayday; May′time May the season of May.
v.i. to be able: to be allowed: to be free to act: to be possible: to be by chance: to be competent:—pa.t. might (mīt).—adv. May′be perhaps possibly.—n. a possibility.—adv. May′hap perhaps.
Typed by Adele
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of the month of May, denotes prosperous times, and pleasure for the young. To dream that nature appears freakish, denotes sudden sorrow and disappointment clouding pleasure.
Typist: Sanford
Examples
- May I ask how old he is, ma'am? Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Who, then, shall conduct education so that humanity may improve? John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- And after this cry and strife the sun may rise and see him worsted. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The palliative measures we may pass by quickly. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- It may be questioned whether some of the present pedagogical interest in the matter of values of studies is not either excessive or else too narrow. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- May I say, at parting, that it is the dear object of MY hopes too? Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- The case has assumed such an extraordinary aspect since Sergeant Cuff's time, that you may revive his interest in the inquiry. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The streets are wisely made narrow and the houses heavy and thick and stony, in order that the people may be cool in this roasting climate. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Traders and other undertakers may, no doubt with great propriety, carry on a very considerable part of their projects with borrowed money. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Then, collecting himself, he added in his usual tone, And what may it be your pleasure to want at so early an hour with the poor Jew? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- There is no coffin in that tomb; and may it be many, many years, before another name is placed above it! Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- In the periodical publications of June, 1914, may be read the eloquent announcement: Langley's Folly Flies. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- If you would engage a front room and purchase the necessaries for the night, I may have time to make a few inquiries. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- I took passage on a steamer at Ripley, Ohio, for Pittsburg, about the middle of May, 1839. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Still, a person may hesitate about the probability of the son of a king being a philosopher. Plato. The Republic.
Edited by Francine