-
1 ♦ may
♦ may (1) /meɪ/v. modalemay, come tutti i verbi modali, ha caratteristiche particolari:● non ha forme flesse (-s alla 3a persona sing., - ing, -ed), non è mai usato con ausiliari e non ha quindi tempi composti; la forma del passato, solo per alcuni significati, è might:● forma le domande mediante la semplice posposizione del soggetto;● la forma negativa è may not;● l'infinito che segue non ha la particella to;● viene usato nelle question tags1 ( esprime eventualità, possibilità, probabilità) – It may rain, può piovere; It may be true, può essere vero; può darsi che sia vero; He may come or he may not, può darsi che venga, ma può anche non venire; potrebbe venire come potrebbe non venire; Tom may not be there, può darsi che Tom non ci sia; There may be people who do not like this programme, possono esserci persone a cui questa trasmissione non piace2 ( esprime possibilità, opportunità) – This coat may be worn with or without a belt, questo cappotto può essere portato con o senza cintura3 ( dopo verbi di speranza o timore) – We hope he may be able to help us, speriamo che possa aiutarci; I fear it may be too late, temo che sia troppo tardi; I fear he may have already left, temo che possa essersene già andato4 (form.) ( dopo so that o that, esprime fine o scopo) – Let's wait for John, so that he may help us decide, aspettiamo John perché ci aiuti a decidere5 (form.) ( esprime permesso concesso o richiesto) – People under 16 may not marry without parental consent, i minori di 16 anni non possono sposarsi senza il consenso dei genitori; May I go out?, posso uscire?; I may leave now, mayn't I?, posso andare ora, vero?; If I may go back to the first point I discussed, col vostro permesso, vorrei tornare al primo punto trattato6 (form.) (esprime richiesta cortese, suggerimento, ecc.) – May I take this chair?, posso prendere questa sedia?; May we have some tea?, possiamo avere del tè?; May I offer you a drink?, posso offrirvi qualcosa da bere?; May I suggest we leave this matter aside for the moment?, posso suggerire di accantonare questa faccenda per il momento?7 ( esprime una concessione) – I may be old, but I'm not daft!, posso essere (o sarò) vecchio ma non sono scemo!; It may be a longer route, but the scenery is superb, forse è un percorso più lungo, ma il panorama è stupendo; You may think I'm exaggerating, but…, tu penserai che io esagero, ma…8 (form.) (nelle esclamazioni, esprime augurio, speranza,) – May you be happy!, che tu sia felice; sii felice!; May God protect you!, (che) Dio ti protegga!; May the best man win!, vinca il migliore!; Long may he live!, possa egli vivere a lungo!● may as well ► well (2) □ He may well refuse, potrebbe benissimo rifiutare □ You may well be asked to make a speech, è più che possibile che ti chiedano di fare un discorso □ That may well be, but…, certo, è possibile, ma… □ Well may you ask!, hai ben ragione di chiederlo!; domanda più che legittima! □ (iron. o scherz.) And who may you be?, e tu, chi saresti? □ Be that as it may, sia come sia; comunque sia □ Come what may, accada quel che accada; qualunque cosa accada □ That is as may be, può darsi ( ma la cosa non è importante) NOTA D'USO: - can o may?-, NOTA D'USO: - might o may?-.NOTA D'USO: - may not- may (2) /meɪ/n. (bot.)may (3) /meɪ/n.(arc. o poet.) fanciulla; pulzella (poet.).
См. также в других словарях:
Marriageable age — (or marriage age) is the age at which a person is allowed to marry, either as of right or subject to parental or other forms of consent. The age and other requirements vary between countries, but generally it is set at 18, although most… … Wikipedia
Child marriage — Small child brides Child marriage and child betrothal customs occur in various times and places, whereby children are given in matrimony before marriageable age as defined by the commentator and often before puberty. Today such customs are fairly … Wikipedia
Wife — For other uses, see Wife (disambiguation). The Merchant s Wife (1918) by Boris Kustodiev … Wikipedia
Kidnapping — In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or asportation of a person against the person s will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority. This is often done for ransom or in furtherance of… … Wikipedia
Human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — In all areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the human rights record remained poor, and numerous serious abuses were committed. Unlawful killings, disappearances, torture, rape, and arbitrary arrest and detention by security forces… … Wikipedia
Freedom of religion in Egypt — The Constitution provides for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rites, although the Government places restrictions on these rights in practice. Islam is the official state religion and Shari a (Islamic law) is the primary source of… … Wikipedia
Incest — This article is about the variable social/legal/religious/cultural infraction of sexual relations with close kin. For the biological act of reproducing with close kin, see inbreeding. For the descriptive term for blood related kin, see… … Wikipedia
Rape — This article is about a form of sexual assault. For other uses, see Rape (disambiguation). Sexual assault Classification and external resources … Wikipedia
Marriage in England and Wales — Lining up for a traditional wedding photograph Marriage in England and Wales is between a man and a woman. Civil partnerships became available to same sex couples in December 2005 and grant rights and responsibilities identical to civil marriage … Wikipedia
Marriage in Scotland — is between a man and a woman. Civil partnerships became available to same sex couples in December 2005 and grant rights and responsibilities identical to civil marriage. Contents 1 Eligibility 2 Marriage procedures 3 Irregular and common law… … Wikipedia
Baptism — • One of the Seven Sacraments of the Christian Church; frequently called the first sacrament , the door of the sacraments , and the door of the Church Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Baptism Baptism … Catholic encyclopedia
