may

The word "may" traces back to Old English mæg, the present tense form of magan ("to be able, have power"). It shares roots with Germanic languages (e.g., Old High German mugan) and ultimately derives from Proto-Indo-European magh- ("to be able, have power"). Originally, it conveyed capability or permission, later expanding to express possibility and wishes. Unlike many verbs, "may" retained its modal function without significant spelling changes over centuries.