mouen - Middle English Compendium\nForms mouen v.(3) Also mou(e, moun, moven, mouwe(n, mouʒe(n, muge(n, mughe, (early) muʒhe(n & mai & (error) mught. Forms: sg.1 & 3 mai, mei, maie, maʒ, maj, meʒ, mæi(e, mæʒ, mæig, maig, meih, maʒe, maʒæ, mage, mahe, mau(e, ma, mou(e, moʒe & muʒe, muge, muhe, muwe; sg.2 might, miʒt(e, migt, miht, micht, mikt, mixt, mitht, mist(e, miʒth, migth, mith, mīt, (errors) miʒ, mytd & maght, maht, macht, māt(e, maight, maiʒt(e, maiht, meiht, mait, maith, maucht, mauth & mught & mihst, maiʒst, maist(e, mast(e, meist, (error) meih & mai(e, moʒe; pl. mou(e(n, moun, moʒe(n, mogen, mohe, mough, mouʒe, mo(n & mau(e(n, maʒe(n, maʒon, maʒa, magen, magon, mahe(n, maven, mæuen, mæʒe(n, ma(n & mǒuwe(n, muwe(n, muʒe(n, mugen, muhe(n, mūen, muhʒe, muʒhen, mwue, mwe, mū & mai, mei & moueth & (followed by pron. subject, examples chiefly early) mou(e yẹ̄, mouʒe wẹ̄, mahe wẹ̄, mahe yẹ̄, maʒe wẹ̄, maʒe yẹ̄, maue wẹ̄, maihe yẹ̄, mūʒe wẹ̄, mūʒe yẹ̄, muʒhe wẹ̄, muʒhe yẹ̄, muhe yẹ̄, muwe wẹ̄, muwe yẹ̄, (late) moy yẹ̄; p. might(e, miʒt(e, migt(e, miht(e, mihʒt, micht(e, mikte, mict(e, mixte, mist(e, mihste, mithte, miʒth(e, migth, micthe, mith(e, mitte, mit(e, mitʒ, (errors) mgthe, myʒite, migh, myʒ, miʒtb & maght, mahte, machte, mæchte, meghte, mehte, maiste, mast, mait & moght, moʒt, moht(e, mocht, motht, moth, mought, mouʒt, mouht(e, moucte, moughth, moucthe, mouth(e, mout(e, (error) moxist & mught, muʒt, muhte, muchte; p.sg.2 mightest, miʒtest, mihtest, mictest, mistest, mithtest, mithest, mitest, mihstist, miʒtes, mihtes, mittes & miʒt, mist & mahtest, machtest & moʒtes, muhtest, muhtes & moght, moht; pl. followed by pron. subject: mihte wẹ̄, mihte yẹ̄; ppl. (all after 1300) might, imiʒt, mithe, moght, mouʒt, moute, moued, moue, mon. Contractions: pr.sg.1 maʒi, mahich (= mai ich); sg.2 miʒtou(ʒ, mahtu, maihtou, mahitou, maitou, mittu (= might thou), maistou(e, maisthou (= maist thou); sg.3 mait (= mai hit); pl. mouwe, muwe (= mouen we); p. mihtich, mihti, mictich, mitti, mahtich (= mighte ich); mahtu (= mighte thou), mightestou, miʒtestou, mihtestu (= mightest thou); mihti, michti (= mighten he pron.pl.); mighter (= mighte ther).\nEtymology OE *mugan, *magan; sg.1 & 3 mæg (MK meg), sg.2 miht (EWS meaht, A mæht), pl. magon, mægon, p. mihte (EWS meahte, A mæhte); cp. OS *mugan, mag, maht, mugun, mahta.\n(a) To be strong, have power, avail, prevail; avail (sb.), help; be worthy [quot.: Cursor (Trin-C)]; ~ ayen(es, prevail against (sth.), overcome; ~ over, have power over (sb.), prevail over; ~ to, be helpful to (sb.), avail (sb.), be useful for (sth.); ~ with, be effective against (sth.); (b) to endure, fare; (c) ppl. might as adj.: mighty.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)75.18/1 : Foxes gloua..mæʒ wið maneʒa untrumnesse.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.MQuad.(Hrl 6258B)14/14 : Wudebuccan ʒealle..mæʒ wiþ gomena sare.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8043 : Þatt ifell gast maʒʒ oferr þa Þatt follʒhenn barrness þæwess.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)143 : Þenne wille god..ʒelden eche men his mede..þa feste Men, þa þet mei lutel to wreche.\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)762 : Ne mai no strengþe aʒen red.\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1621 : Ich not neauer to hwan þu miʒt, For þu nart bute a wrecche wiʒt.\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ps.140.6 : Þei shuln heren my woordis, for þei myʒten [L potuerunt].\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Wisd.16.17 : Þat forsoþe was merueilous: in water, þat alle thingis quencheþ, more þe fijr myʒte [L valebat].\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.16.12 : He shal go in to his hoeli places, that he inwardly beseche, and he shal not moun [L et non valebit].\na1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)16538 : To be done in tresorie, þei seide hit not mouʒt [Ld: mowth; Vsp: doght].\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1408 : Cayser ne kyng Ne may aʒeins Goddes helpyng.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)3.171 : Ʒet I may, as I miʒte [vrr. myʒthe, myyth, mgthe], auaunce þe wiþ ʒeftis.\n?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.Lear (Göt Hist 740)473 : In þat þou hafes, in þat þowe maye; So er ʒe lofyd, soth to saye.\n?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.2.240 : Schrewes ne mowen ryght nat ne han no power.\n(1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)346 : Mown, or haue myʒhte: Possum.\nc1455 Spec.Miser.(Tak 32)840 : For all thee catell in my chiste May mee nowt, now weell I see.\n?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)83a : To mught [Monson: Mughe]: posse..valeo.\n(a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)149b/a : The kyte is..a brid þat may wel with trauaile [L patiens laboris].\n(a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)295a/a : Scheep..þat haue longe tayles may wors wiþ wynter þan þilke þat haue brode tailes.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)26844 : He sal be plighti for þis an Als he þam broken had euer ilkan, For a sin es moght als [Frf: is als muche as] fiue.\nTo be able (to do sth.), be able (to endure, undergo, or have sth.); of things: be capable of (doing sth., producing an effect): (a) present forms with pr. or fut. meaning; (b) in negative clauses [in which sense 2a. is most readily distinguished from sense 3.]; (c) past forms with past meaning [cp. sense 4.]; (d) in neg. clauses; (e) present or past forms in passive constructions.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)115.93/4 : Lat þanne colian swa þat hyt man drincan maʒen.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)20/23 : Hu heo [the sun] maʒe sendon hire scinende leome..ofer alne middaneard.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)120/3 : Hwylc mon is þæt mid worde sæcgæn maʒæ..hu monifealde beoð þa murhðe?\nc1200 Wor.Serm.in EGSt.7 (Wor Q.29)66 : Heo..leten alle þe blisse þet man mei of speken.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)7117 : Whær muʒhe we nu finden Þiss..king?\na1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)235 : La lief, maʒie [read: maʒ ei] wiman forʒeten his oge cild?\na1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)9 : On swilch liflode, we mugen trustliche abiden ure louerd ihesu cristes tocume.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)159/17 : Fowr þinges..þet heaued sunne dude him, mahen makien him to sorhin & bittrin his heorte.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)173/21 : Hu mahe we [Nero: muwe we; Cleo: muʒe we] hit witerliche seggen bi us wrecches?\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)112/376 : On him þu maist þe tresten.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)460 : We ne haue..knith ne knaue Þat yeueth us..þat we moun ete.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1348 : Þou maght til he aren quike.\na1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1116 : How miʒtou, man, þis yhure?\nc1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)343,344 : Hou maitou [vrr. mast þou, myxte þou] loue god..Whom þu miht sen on none wyse?\nc1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)474 : Als so harde as þou mixt flynge on, arede me on þe schelde.\n(c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.336 : And now of thre how maystow [vrr. maisthow, maist thow] bere witnesse?\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 1.15 : Al þat mai maken drunkyn, I drank not.\n(c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.12.34 : Howe mowe ʒe [WB(2): moun ʒe] speke good thingis?\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3438 : How may ye slepen al the longe day?\na1400 Pep.Gosp.(Pep 2498)46/28 : Where mowʒe we biggen mete forto fede wiþ al þis folk?\na1450(c1400-25) Legat Serm.PD (Wor F.10)9/79 : & tat is þe heiʒest poynt of perfectiun þat tow maste haue in þis world.\na1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)3780 : How mayʒte þow speke now þus to me?\na1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.656 : Ic wille þet we secan Sancte Petre, ealle þa þa to Rome na magen faren.\na1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.675 : Ic wille..þet whilc man swa haued behaten to faren to Rome, and he ne muge hit forðian..cume to þet mynstre on Medeshamstede.\na1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1070 : Hi namen þære swa mycele gold and seolfre..swa nan man ne mæi oðer tællen.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)115.93/5 : Swa þat heo fram nafolan ne feallan ne maʒa.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)135.137/3 : Gif hwa ne miʒan ne mæʒen.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)124/17 : Ða deade ban of þare buriʒnes specon ne maʒon.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)202 : Witt sinndenn off swillc elde nu Þatt witt ne muʒhenn tæmenn.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5184 : Þu ne mahht nohht lufenn Godd & hatenn menn.\na1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)239 : Se senfulle..isecgð þer his richtwise deme, þe non ne maie bechece, non beswice.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6219 : Ne maʒe we hit ifinden.\na1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)185 : Swo muchel muriðe is in þe bureh of heuene þat eie ne maig swo muchel biholden.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1494 : Ne mahtu, wið na þing, wenden min heorte from him þet ich heie.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)65/15 : We ne mahe [Nero: muwe; Tit: muhen; Cleo: maʒe; Cai: magen] nawt þolien þet te wind of a word beore us towart heuene.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)175/28 : Wið na þing ne mahe ʒe [Nero: muwe; Tit: muhe; Cleo: maʒe; Cai: maihe] matin him betere.\na1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)29 : Bodi, þe ne mait [vrr. maiʒt, miht] nout lepen to plaien ne to rage.\na1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)97 : Muwe [vr. We mowe] nouþer flite ne chide.\na1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)130 : Al þe woldes pride and al þe worldes aite Ne muen holden is lif.\na1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)146 : Er hauedestou eyen; nou maistou [vr. myʒtouʒ] nout isee?\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)122/494 : Ne þu ne moʒe [vr. miht] mid strenʒhe þe selwen steren.\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)400 : Ðe grete maig he nogt bigripen.\na1300 Hayl mari hic (Dgb 2)25 : We ne may agaynis þaim stond.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3227 : He ne mogen figten a-gen, For wið-vten wopen ben.\na1325 SLeg.Longinus (Corp-C 145)29 : We ne moweþ nower so wel men bitraye.\na1350 In a fryht (Hrl 2253)44 : Þat God haþ shaped, mey non atluppe.\nc1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)3/65 : Of brokele kende his þat he deiþe, For hy ne moʒe nauʒt dury.\n(1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)223/24 : Hi ne moʒen habbe no child.\nc1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.11 : I woot þi werkes, þi trauailes, & þi pacience, & þat þou ne may [vrr. maist, myʒt; F poez] nouʒth suffre þe wicked.\n(c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3195 : Now artow Sathanas, that mayst nat twynne Out of miserie.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)26575 : For sua þou mate [Frf: mai] noght wasch þi wite.\na1425 Swete Ihesu now (Add 37787)326 : Ihesu, þi loue & flechlich þouth, Wonen to-gedure mow þey nouth.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)115/35 : Þei ben looth..for loue, desirynge þat þei mown not haue.\n(1426) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)340 : If my saide heires be..entangled or disturbed that they mowe not kepe it severell..I quethe the same vij li. to the meyre of London.\nc1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3021 : Maystowe nat I-here som maner word?\n?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)374/20 : Nowther pore ne ryche..Ffrom þis day ʒow hyde not mowne.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17411 : Ah næfden heo syʒe þat heo auer æine stan sturien mahten.\na1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)61 : Bodi, wi nauedis þe biþout, vil þu mittes [vrr. miʒttest, myhtes] þe uelden, Of him þat sop us hal of nout?\na1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)54 : Anon he of swoninge awok & speke miste [vr. moʒt]; Sore he wep & sore he syʒte.\nc1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)597 : Þe king..heht euereine man þat miþt ride oþer gon þat hii comen mid him.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)376 : He Moucthe hem best loke.\n(1400) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)7.55 : Robert Cary and John Carsewell..were..alle redy for to have ryden to the forseid Erl of Huntyngdon ʒif he mygh have hadde his purpos.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6445 : How myʒtestow in þin herte fynde Vn-to þi kyng to be so vnkynde?\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.262 : What have I the agylt? How myghtestow for rowthe me bygile?\na1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)282 : Yhit som men wille noght understande Þat þat mught mak þam dredande.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)2/23 : Sum men seyden sche mygth wepen whan sche wold.\n(c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)454 : Þou myʒtist haue ceesid þe tempest.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)22/10 : So thes two knyghtes had good chere and grete gyfftis as much as they myght bere away.\na1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)415 : When sche hur selfe myght styr, Sche toke vp hur sone to hur.\na1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1070 : Þa munecas wiðstoden þæt hi na mihton in cumen.\n?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1140 : Þa hi ne leng ne muhten þolen, þa stali hi ut & flugen.\nc1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)4/1 : Noðer ne mon ne nyten þes wateres biten ne mihten.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17066 : Ʒif ich swa walde, ne mihte ʒe [Otho: solde ʒe] me finden.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18690 : Ne miste he of þan eorle naþing iwinnen.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)2/16 : Ne mahte ich [Roy: mahtich] understonden of nan þe were wurðe for to beon iwurget.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)156/24 : Þet tu..wiðstonde ne mahtest [Nero: muhtes; Cleo: machtest].\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)21 : Migte neure diuel witen, ðog he be derne hunte, hu he dun come.\na1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)168 : Ne Myhtestu one tyde wakien myd me?\nc1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)38/678 : Ne Mict-ich nowt lache A gret fys ate furste.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)356 : He ne moucte no more liue.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1898 : So riche were growen hise sunen, Ðat he ne migte to-gider wunen.\nc1350 Ayenb.App.(Arun 57)267/17 : Ich y-zeʒ, ac uollyche ich ne myte al yzy.\n(a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.5 : Our litel konnynge myʒte nouʒt take knowleche.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5613 : Sco na langer hide him moght [Göt: mohut; Frf: moʒt].\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9771 : Angel ne might [Göt: miht; Ld: myʒth]..Mak for adam his ranscun.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13559 : Es þou noght he þis endir day þat moght [Trin-C: miʒtes] noght se?\na1400 Ffadur and sone (RwlLtrg g.2)14 : In my thouʒt & my heued, Mytte i neuer my with weld.\nc1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)106/26 : Kyng Edmunde saw þat þe castel myst nouʒt ham wiþstonde.\na1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)41/12 : Þe wateres of Marath were so bitter þat þe folk of Israel mygth not dryngen of hem.\n(1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)1007 : Þei had witʒ grete deuocioun assayde This maner religioun, but no man mytʒ it bere.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)65/23 : And, as Ganymedes myght [vr. myth] nat withstand the strengthe of Phebus, he was slayne with þe reboundyng of þe barre.\na1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)18/29 : Þei walkid in myddis þe fier, louynge here Lord; here bodies ne here cloþes ne myʒt it not dere.\nc1450 Ladd Y the daunce (Cai 383/603)p.307 : Wan ic to his chambre com, doun he me sette; From hym mytte Y nat go.\na1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)198/1443g : Myght no man knowe for swerdis bryght Wheder was the better knyght.\na1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)217/13 : The kynge..sende throgh Inde..for Maistres his Sone to teche clergi..But that ne mygh not availle.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)42/12 : We on oðre wisan ne maʒen beon ihælede.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2418 : Hu maʒʒ þiss forþedd wurrþenn Þatt I wiþþ childe muʒhe ben?\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)10712 : Ne þu ne mahht nohht borrʒhenn beon.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)127/20 : All þe seouene deadliche sunnen muhen [Nero: muwen; Cleo: Muʒe] beon afleiet.\nc1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)3/10 : He hadde a sone..Fairer ne miste [vrr. micte, myhte] non beo born.\na1350 Iesu suete is (Hrl 2253)7 : Noht may be feled lykerusere þen þou.\n(a1382) WBible(1) Prols.Esd.(Bod 959)32 : Ne, forsoþe, it mai not ben affermed sooþ, þat þat is dyuerse.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4528 : O destynee, that mayst nat ben eschewed!\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.529 : Lordes hestes mowe nat ben yfeyned.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)46/33 : Þe greet goodnes of God..may not be mesurid.\n(1439) Doc.in Leach Educ.Chart.402 : Ther is so grete scarstee of maistres of Gramer, whereof.. none mowen [vr. mawen] be hade in your Uniuersitees.\nc1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)19/16 : Tak an hote tile stone, als hote als it may be made.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.10.6b : Ony þink þat mai be felid bi bodili wit.\nc1500 Recipe MSS Hast.in HMC (Hnt HU 1051)423 : This medicyn is orderd for streynyng when a man is in hys bede or out wher he ma not son be help.\nWith certain verbs: (a) ~ do (idon), don ~, to be able to do (sth.), can do, can accomplish; what he best don mighte, what were best for him to do; (b) in proverbs; (c) ~ ben, ~ worthen, can be or become (sth.); (d) ~ spenden, to be able to spend (so much), have (a certain) income.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)16/15 : Þe biscop..bæd þa þone Almihtiʒæn, þe mæʒ don þæt he wyle.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)24/21 : Ðe kyng nyste þa ʒyt þæt Crist mihte swa don.\na1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)229 : Þe iudeisce folc..smeadan hu hi michte hine to deaðe ʒedon.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2085 : Swa vfele he mihte [Otho: miþte] don þat he sculde beon ihon.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3148 : Leir kin [read: king] hine biþohte wat he don mohte [Otho: mihte].\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)10279 : Seuarus hine biðodte whet he don miðte.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)16742 : Heo nomen heom to ræde what heo don mæhten.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)23/15 : Ða ne mihtest ðu nan god don.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)129/1 : Alleskennes þing ðe mann him maiʒ don, wið-uten senne one, he wile þolieʒen for godes luue.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)8/29 : Ha hit mei [Nero: mai] do þah, & leauen hwen ha wel wule.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)17/6 : Ʒef me..mihte, þet ich mahe [Nero: muwe; Cleo: maʒe] don; wisdom, þet ich cunne don; luue, þet ich wulle don..þet te is leouest.\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)116/437 : Hue ne mai hit non oþir don.\nc1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)429 : Ihc wulle fonde what I do may Bituene þis & þe þridde day.\nc1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)287 : He ne wiste wat he micte do.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1064 : Oc al ðat burgt-folc..Ðe migte lecher-crafte don, To lothes hus he comen ðat nigt.\nc1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1976 : He esste of is conseilers..Hou he miʒte best do of þis kinedom.\na1350 Ase y me rod (Hrl 2253)9 : Alle heo mai don vs god.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)814 : Miself may do mi nede.\nc1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)73 : Þat maitou noht don.\n(1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)7/7 : Þou ne sselt do ine..þe sabat..workes þet þou miʒt do ine oþre dayes.\n(1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)114/34 : Do ham guod yef hy habbeþ nyede and þou hit miʒ do.\n1372 My folk now (Adv 18.7.21)3 : Wat mitht i mor ha don for þe?\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1378 : Wonded was he sore, Þat greuen him gretly but god may do bote.\nc1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)757 : My godes..moʒe no more do þan a ston.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6907 : Drightin moght [Frf: muʒt; Göt: mouht; Trin-C: mouʒt] Do al thing þat him god thoght.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21710 : Moght [Frf: muʒt; Göt: Might; Trin-C: Mocht] na king suerd do mar.\nc1400(?c1308) Davy Dreams (LdMisc 622)11/16 : Hetilich hij leiden hym vpon Als hij miʒtten myd swerd don.\na1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)39/6 : Wepe þou neuer so moche for sorow of þi sinnes or of þe Passion of Criste, or haue þou neuer so moche mynde of þe ioies of heuen, what may it do to þee?\na1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)2/6 : I sal yu lere þe dute of god, his wille þat ʒe may do.\n?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)69 : Þe kyng & lordis ben chargid..to distroie þis synne..& mowen don it & don it not.\na1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)17 : Loue..synkiþ deppir in a soule þan ony oþir þing may do.\n(1451) Paston2.243 : If he myght do for yow..then he wol take yowre mony wyth a good wyl.\nc1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)115b/b : Þe malice encreside fro day to day, & for al þat we myʒten do, þe sijknesse was so feruent þat it profitid ful litil to þe pacient.\nc1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)915 : Myght I haue don ony more for þe?\na1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)582 : He may do more þen oþer fyftene.\nc1500 Libeaus (Ashm 61)284/2058b : He satte full styll and thouʒht What he best do mought.\na1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)318 : Þei mowen do nother yuel ne good.\na1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)1066 : Whi mowen we not do as dide he?\na1325 Prov.Hend.(Cmb Gg 1.1)st.18 : Wan man mai done als he wille, þan doth he als he is.\nc1390 Castle Love(1) (Vrn)1 : Þat good þenkeþ, good may do.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)6/11,33 : Heo..beoð swa mycele men swa swa heo mihten beon ʒyf heo fulweoxon..butan þare þe he ne mihte his folʒere beon.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)50/25 : We ne maʒon na hale wurðan..buton þurh andetnesse.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1839 : Niss nani þing þatt muʒhe ben Wiþþ Godd off efenn mahhte.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2419 : Þatt I wiþþ childe muʒhe ben.\na1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)219 : He..cweð an his herto þat he wolde and eaðe mihte bien his sceoppende ʒelic.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)71/1 : Lierne fastliche ða ʒekyndes of sennes..þat ðu muʒe bien war wið hem.\nc1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)6/56 : Of se seli sikernesse as ha wes & mahte beon under godes warde.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)11/100 : Tu maht, ʒef þu wult, beon burhene leafdi.\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)131/603 : Þe baldure þu mist ben for lere þu his reides.\n?a1300 Stond wel moder (Dgb 86)3 : Moder bliþe miʒt þou [vr. mittu] be.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)394 : Til mi sone mowe ben knicth.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)516 : Louerdinges after me Of al denemark micten he be.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)876 : Get ne migten he siker ben, For magnie [read: manige] of ðo woren ouer-taken.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2580 : He seiden ðe childre weren boren Or he migten ben hem biforen.\nc1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)772 : Dreri mai we be, Bi swiche children swich rewþe se.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)3002 : Bliþe no may ich be Til y se þat hende.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1799 : Who may been a fool but if he loue?\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)1.121 : Þo þat werchen þe word..Mowe [vrr. Mown, Mouwen, May] be sikur þat here soule shal wende to heuene.\nc1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)421 : 'Blysful,' quod I, 'may þys be trwe?'\n?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)155b/a : Þe medicine þat schal be leide to þe wounde moste ben as desiccatiue as it may be.\na1450(a1401) Chastising GC (Bod 505)101/22 : Oþer causes þer mowen be for oure owne defaute.\na1450 Chauliac(4) (Cai 336/725)4/8 : We moun be [*Ch.(1), Ch.(2): we bene] as smale children sittynge hiʒe in þe nekke of þe geaunt.\nc1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)78/2317 : For lo she was, as right well be she mowt, The hool tresoure of alle worldly blys.\nc1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)90 : Fulle of stones þer hyt was pyght, As thykke as hyt myght be.\n?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)23/27 : She was a ladi of Fraunce, that might spende more thanne fyue hundred pounde bi yeere [F qui tenoit bien mil et vc livres de rente].\nIn weakened varieties of sense 2., in which the ability or potentiality becomes mere possibility, or is made contingent upon something else: to perhaps be able (to do or have sth., etc.), might be able; may, might; thou mightest haven ben, you might have been; thou might him with maken the saughtnes, you can perhaps be reconciled with him, you might make peace with him; that thei ~ sen, in order that they may see; if þou might haven, if you might have, if you might get; hou he mighten him helpen out, how they might be able to help him out; -- used to express doubt, uncertainty, contrariness to fact, a wish, a purpose, etc.; -- often used in if, hou, or that clause: (a) present forms; (b) past forms with past meaning [cp. sense 4.]; (c) in passive constructions.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)111.84/1 : Þus þu miht hine of þare untrumnusse unbindan.\n?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)21/1 : And oþre bæn, þeah hi beon tobrocene, mid suman læcecræfte hy man maj hælen.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)34/14 : Nu maʒe we axiæn swa swa Petrus axode.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)134/29,30 : Þu miht forleosan..þa ðing þe ateoriʒæn maʒen.\nc1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)4/9 : Nu mon mæi [seg]gen bi þe: 'Þes mon is iwiten nu her.'\nc1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)8/24 : For al biþ þet softe iwend to him sulfen, Þet ne mawen his pil[es pri]kien hine sore.\nc1200 Wor.Serm.in EGSt.7 (Wor Q.29)23 : Ich wille heov mid lute vordes iseggen, þet ʒe hit maʒen þe raþeren urdenstonden.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)664 : Forr ure wrecche kinde iss swillc Þatt itt maʒʒ ben forrfæredd, Ʒiff þatt itt ohht færlike seþ.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1492 : & tu mihht ec gastlike laf Onn oþerr wise ʒarrkenn.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)4680 : Þu..willt forrlesenn þin Drihhtin..Forr þatt tu muʒhe winnenn..Wiþþ sinne summwhat littless.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)29 : Mon mei underfon ane wunde on his licome þet ne mei beon longe hwile hal.\na1200(?c1175) PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)338 : Ute we us biwerien [W]ið þesses wreches woreldes luue, þat hit ne muʒe [vrr. maʒe, mawe] us derien.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)741 : Ʒif ʒe hine mawen [Otho: maʒen] bringen bi-foren ure kinge, wel bið him þere bringe.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)997 : We mæwen [Otho: maʒe] faren riche ʒif we ræd luuieð.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13496-7 : Ʒif auere cumeð þe dæi þat ich æhten bi-ʒiten mæi [Otho: mai], and ich maʒen [Otho: mawe] swa wel iþeon..ich eow wulle wel biwiten.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17947 : Þat we i þan morʒen-liht mæʒen [Otho: maʒe] come forð riht.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)20268 : Ich hom wulle leden hu heo muwen [Otho: mawe] Baldulf slæn.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25949 : Næs nan kempen iboren..þat mon ne mæi mid strenðe stupen hine to grunde.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)31409 : Þus þu maht him wið makien þe sahtnesse.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)169/17 : Him nis na þing leouere þen þet he mahe [Cleo: muʒe; Cai: mage] ifinden acheisun forte ʒeouene.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)202/7 : Ʒef hit is forte ʒeouen, hwer maht tu [Nero: meiht tu; Cleo: macht þu; Tit: mahtu] biteon hit betere þen up o me?\na1275 Judas (Trin-C B.14.39)6 : Summe of þin cunesmen þer þou meist imete.\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)182 : We muʒe [Jes-O: mawe] bet mid fayre worde..Plaidi mid soʒe [Jes-O: soþe].\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1581 : Þat gode wif..ʒeorne fondeþ hu heo muhe [Jes-O: mowe] Do þing þat him beo iduʒe.\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)126 : For up he rigteð him redi to deren, to deren er to ded maken if he it muge forðen.\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)323 : Twifold forbisne in ðis der, to frame we mugen finden her, warsipe & wisedom wið deuel & wið iuel man.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)845 : Heþen þow mayt gangen to late.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3316 : Bred and fles der we muwen sen.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)4059 : Bute if ðu migt forðen ðis red, And hem fro godes luue led..For wi ne wopen ne helped nogt.\nc1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)11 : Þai mo witen & se Miche of Godes priuete, Hem to kepe & to ware Fram sinne.\nc1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)342 : Alday [þou] mait [vrr. mast, maiste] hem ise.\n(a1333) Herebert Þe kynges baneres (Add 46919)11 : Men, ʒe mowen y-se Hou godes trone ys rode tre.\n1372 Als i lay vpon (Adv 18.7.21)63 : Þat we moun his face se.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)804 : Go we to þe gardyn -- to gode may it turne.\nc1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1691 : Cheynes þar buþ..As heuye as twenty men drogy mawe.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1243 : By som caas..Thow mayst [vrr. maiste, mayʒt] to thy desir som tyme atteyne.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2496 : Ther maistow [vrr. myghtest þou; may men, might men] seen deuysynge of harneys So vnkouth and so riche and wroght so weel.\nc1390 NHom.Virg.to Devil (Vrn)38 : Wher of þou mayht ful murie liue.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)290 : Behald þe sune, and þou mai [Trin-C: maistou] se.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)1.146 : Here miʒt [vrr. mygth, myth] þou [vr. þou miht; B: myʒtow] sen ensaumplis.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)3.224 : Godis mede..miʒte [vrr. myʒth, mytht, myth; mightyst] þou [vrr. mahytow, þou maiht] wynne.\na1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)2844 : Sen þou ert both ʒong and fayre, Þou mai haue childer to be þine aire.\nc1430(c1395) Chaucer LGW Prol.(2) (Benson-Robinson)64 : I come after, glenynge here and there, And am ful glad if I may fynde an ere.\n?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)97 : That men mow [vr. mowgh] ryde or goon.\na1450(?c1350) Pride Life (ChrC-Dub)145 : Þou mit liu as ʒe list, For wonschildis þu fond.\nc1450 Myn owne dere ladi (Cai 383/603)p.300 : Were we to togadere beyne, Thou myst me lysse of my peyne.\na1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)141/9 : Feyne the to be dronke, And than maystow many secrete thyngis to Parcew and Hyre.\na1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)205/2 : Youre lyght so lyght afore men that thay mowen See youre good workys.\na1500 Allas what schul (StJ-C G.28)8 : Sertenly we be vn do But if we mo amende it.\n?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)19/3 : And ʒif þou miste haue of þe hundys here, ley hit þer-to, and hit schal hele hit.\na1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1127 : Þa beþohte he him þat, gif he mihte ben rotfest on Engleland, þat he mihte habben eal his wille.\na1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1131 : He crape in his mycele codde in ælc hyrne gif þær wære hure an unwreste wrenc þat he mihte get beswicen anes Crist & eall Cristene folc.\n?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Þu myhtes faren all a dæis fare, sculdest thu neure finden man in tune sittende ne land tiled.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)140/6 : His wundræ næron iwritene alle, ac þa ane mon wrat ðe mihton nihtsumien monnum to hæle.\nc1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)14/28 : Ða sende dauid sonæ his ðreo cnihtæs þet heo sceoldon cunniæn hwæder heo myhton ænine mon ofahsian þe hine lacniæn mihte.\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)560 : He suggeden & sorgeden & weren in ðogt wu he migten him helpen ovt.\na1300 Qvanne I zenke onne (Ashm 360)12 : An ti honden he-spredden þat he miten telle þi boan.\n?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)14 : Wel ʒerne he him biþoute Hou he hire gete moute In ani cunnes wise.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)42 : Vtlawes and theues made he bynde, Alle that he micthe fynde.\nc1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)5889 : Þer men miʒtten haue frely Four c steden for gramerci.\na1350 St.Alex.(1) (LdMisc 108)71/511 : Þou myʒtest [vr. mist] han ben a greth lording.\n1372 In bedlem is (Adv 18.7.21)30 : Þat sepperdis mithten it here.\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 19.11 : Saul sente his cruel seruauntis þe nyʒt in to þe hous of dauyd þat þei myʒten keepen hym & slayn in þe morewe.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1655 : Thou myghtest wene that this Palamoun In his fightyng were a wood leoun.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1360 : How that thei mihten winne a speche.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1542 : For-þi lete god þam lijf sua lang, þat þai moght [Göt: micht; Frf: miʒt] seke and vnderfang þe kynd o thinges.\nc1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)655 : May þou traw for tykle þat þou tonne [read: teme] moʒtez.\nc1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)1051 : Þe hyʒe trone þer moʒt ʒe hede.\nc1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1858 : Myʒ [?read: Myʒt] he haf slypped to be vn-slayn, þe sleʒt were noble.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1160 : She myght on hym han loked at the leste.\n?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)7/17 : He wolde senden hym oyle of mercy for to anoynte with his membres þat he myghte haue hele.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)57/33 : Þe preste preyde þe man þat he mygt se þis boke.\na1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)1064 : Hast þow hyet hyt to þe ende Þat þou myʒtes hamward wende?\nc1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)167/4992 : Right wel persayue y mought How it was sett ful thikke with laughyng eyene.\n(a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)21 : The puple edified ymages to her liknes, that thei mite have sum solace of tho similitudes.\n(1467) Stonor1.95 : Yf he [a horse] mowghth have plesyd yow..to have redyn on.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)167/9 : And he wolde a fought on foote, he myght have had the bettir of the ten knyghtes.\na1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)167/156a : There myght men see shaftis shake.\na1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)149/7 : The whyche lawe he sholde al tymes wyth hym haue and rede, that he myst can dred god..and the comandmentis..of his lawe mayntene and kepe.\na1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1020 : Bi goodnes, pacience, and grace, There moght haue growe ful grete solace.\na1200(?c1175) PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)288 : Eaðe he muʒen [vrr. muwen, mwue, muʒe] ben sore ofdrad þe sullen hes bihealde.\na1200 PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)159 : Þar we muʒen [vrr. maʒen, muʒe, Muwen] ben sore offerd.\nc1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)28/474 : Ʒef þu art unworðliche ilatet, þu maht, ba to oþre & to þi were, iwurðen þe unwurðre.\na1300 Worldes blis ne last (Rwl G.18)38 : Sore þu mikt ben ofgast.\nc1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)882 : For sodeyneliche þu miht [vrr. mayt, may] be caiht.\nc1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.83 : Ʒif þat we han þat we mowen ben fed wiþ al & hiled, ben we wel paied wiþ þat.\n1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.20 : He shall payen to ye catel of ye gilde ij pounde of wax bot yei mowen bene excused resonablely.\na1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)2758 : I wysshed to god hit myʒt be þus.\na1425(?a1400) Penny (Glb E.9)27 : With Peny may men wemen till..so oft may it be sene.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)77/8 : Be circumstauncis, þingis may [vr. ma] be vnderstanden.\n(c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)161 : Þou maist be prouokid..into þerof þe forʒeuenes.\n(c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)6/27 : Þei schuld not be redy to telle swech tales, with whech pes mith be broke.\nPast tense forms with present or future meaning: (a) to be able (to do sth., be sth., etc.); hou mightest thou gon, how would it be possible for you to go, how can (could) you go; that we al mighten underyeten, that we all may (might) be able to understand; (b) to perhaps be able (to do sth.); that mighte so fallen, that may happen; mighte i riden, if I may (might) ride; þou mightest bettre meten mist, you may as well measure the mist; (c) in wishes and requests: ai mighte he liven, may he live forever!; crist him mighte blessen, may Christ bless him!\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)112/8 : For þan þe ðe Hælend wolde festnen..heore bileafe..þæt we alle mihten underʒyten.\na1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)229 : Þah al mennisc were ʒegadered, ne michti hi [OE ne mihton hi] alle hin acwelle ʒef he sylf nold.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)29 : Hu mahtest þu gan to þine aʒene liche ʒif þin hefet were offe?\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)31 : Þah ic hefde al þet ic efre biʒet, ne maht ic ʒelden swa muchel.\na1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)52 : For þer we hit michte [vrr. mihte, miʒte, muʒen, muwen] finden eft and habben buten ende.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)38/12 : Muche fol were þe mahte [Nero: muhte; Tit: mihte; Cleo: machte]..grinden greot oþer hweate ʒef he grunde þe greot.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)171/27 : For godd ne muhte [Tit: mihte; Cai: michte; Cleo: muchte] nawt beon wið uten rihtwisnesse.\na1250(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Glb A.19)126/517 : Ne mihtestu [vr. ne mist þu] þi lif helden none hwile.\na1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)120/29 : Ʒif ðet tu muhtest [Cai: mahtest] wel wakien, he deð iþine þouhte, [etc.].\na1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)207 : Al ic wolde biswike þat i sen miste mid eie.\nc1275 Þene latemeste dai (Clg A.9)29 : Ne miʒte no tunge tellen þat euer wes iboren.\n?c1250 Somer is comen & (Eg 613)48 : Ne miitte us saui castel, tur, ne halle.\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)118/447 : Þe mon þad michte hire cnoswen [read: cnowen], & chesen hire from oþere.\nc1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)73/1259 : Telle ne miʒte tunge Þat gle þat þer was sunge.\nc1300 Iesu cristes milde moder (Arun 248)30 : Ne mithte noman þolie mor.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1831 : For he was ded on lesse hwile Þan men mouthe renne a mile.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2184 : Migt he nogt fro his fader gon; He is gungest, hoten beniamin.\na1325 Stond wel moder (Roy 12.E.1)16 : Sune, hu mitti [vr. miʒtte ich] teres wernen? hy se þo blodi flodes hernen.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)377 : Þer nis man on þis mold þat miʒt half telle þe wo & þe weping.\n(a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.11 : Ʒif, after þe trauaille of Hercules..a pigmey boskeþ hym to bataille..who myʒte þanne leue to laughe?\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.510 : For al this world I myhte noght To soffre an othre fully winne Ther as I am yit to beginne.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23223 : Quils þou moght [Phys-E: moht] turn þi hand abute, It suld worth rose [?read: to yse] witvten dute.\nc1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)14.61 : Ac ʒut myghte þe merchaunt..Haue hors and hardy men.\na1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)39/2 : Þouʒ þou schere awei þi preue membres & dedest al þe pine to þi body þat þou miʒtest [vr. maste or kanst] þink, alle þis wolde help þee riʒt nouʒt.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)63/29 : Ʒe myʒten not come to me by noon oþir wey.\na1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)50.160 : Here mythest þou dwellen A long tyde.\n(1451) Lin.DDoc.53/23 : Prayng the hous of wittam..& the hous of Beuerlay to do..Alsmany messes as a prest myst syng in A ʒer.\n(1458) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1299 : If the sayd byerys and marchandys myght not acord, then the sayd marchandys schall hold, [etc.].\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.3.3a : For þat is þe ende and þe entente of þin enclosynge þat þou mihstist more freely and entierly ʒieue þe to gostly occupacion.\na1500 Orch.Syon (Mrg M 162)311/37 : My mercy is more þen alle þe synnes þat euer myʒt be done.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)4682 : Þohh þatt tu mihhtess winnenn her All middellærdess riche.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5163 : Þa mihhtesst tu ben borrʒhenn.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)11479 : Þa mihhte we þe laþe gast Wiþþstanndenn & wiþþseggenn.\na1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)233 : He wat wel þat maniʒe men bieð sa ful of ʒescung; mihti [i.e. mihten hi] efre isi, Na ʒewold ham selfe to bigeten wrldlic echte.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18753 : Ʒet hit weore a wene whar þu heo mihtes aʒe.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18772 : Þenne mihtest [Otho: mihtes] þu þine iwille allunge biwinne.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)19322 : Þat a ʒe mihten [Otho: mihte] riche rixlien in þan londe.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)103/17 : Mihtest tu isien alle ðine unwines..sari woldest tu bien.\nc1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)4/19 : Fleschliche þonkes..makied þe to þenchen..Hu muche mahte of inker streon awakenin.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)46/9 : Streche forð þet swire, scharp sweord to underuon, for ich mot þi bone beon..ʒef ich mahte þerwið.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)9/21 : Ʒe mahten [Nero: muhten; Cleo: muʒe, alt. to: muhten] sone..fallen i desesperance.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)86/1 : Wið a lutel hurlunge ʒe mahten [Nero: muhten; Tit: mihten; Cleo: machten] al leosen.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)175/24 : Alle ich habbe tobroken ham..as me deð to children, þe mahten [Cleo: muchten] wið unbroke bread deien on hunger.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)182/18 : Swuch oðerhwile..mahte [Nero: muhte; Tit: mihte; Cleo: muchte; Cai: michte] beon ower þreal.\na1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)203 : And mihste þe Amirayl hit vnderʒete, Sone of his liue he were quite.\na1300 A Mayde Cristes (Jes-O 29)96 : Ne þurhte þe neuer rewe myhtestu do þe in hys ylde.\nc1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)682 : For if I nere into þis tur icume, Wiþ mireʒþe þu miʒtest herinne wune.\nc1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)6/105 : Þat micte so bi falle Þou suldes slen us alle.\nc1325 Byrd one brere (KC Muniments 2.W.32)9 : Mikte hic hire at wille hauen..Ioye and blisse were..me Newe.\na1350 When þe nyhtegale (Hrl 2253)11 : Wiþ þy loue..mi blis þou mihtes eche.\nc1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)18/498 : Hʒe bliþe myʒten hy be Þat folwede cryst in londe.\n(1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)104/22 : Þou myʒtest [Vices & V.(2): myʒt] lyʒtliche guo out of þe riʒte waye.\n1372 Als i lay vp-on (Adv 18.7.21)107 : No sorwe sulde me dere, Miht i ʒet þat day se.\n(c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.585 : Ther were a dozeyne in that hous..able for to helpen al a shire In any caas that myghte falle or happe.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.784 : But myghte this gold be caried fro this place Hoom to myn hous or ellis vn to youres.\na1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)59 : Who-so myʒt þat mayde clene, Þat she were brouʒt to deþ bedene, Hit were muche more honour Þan slee þat mayde Blancheflour.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)prol.88 : Tho miʒtest [vr. þou might] betere mete myst on maluerne hilles.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)7.214 : Miʒte [vrr. Myth, Myte; May] I synneles do as þou seist?\nc1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)317 : And ʒet of graunt þou myʒtez fayle.\nc1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416:Everett)44/11 : Whanne þou..ert sori þat þou dost no bettur, and woldest do bettir ʒif þou miʒtest, þanne Crist þi Broþir and oþir Seintes fulfillen þine defautes.\n(1415) Doc.Conspir.Hen.V in D.K.R.43586 : And Skrope said..best to breke yis viage if hit meghte be done.\na1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1421 : Ʒif Nero myʒt sone dye..That were nowe for vs good.\n?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)161a/a : Ʒif þei myʒte be founden at al tymes & in euerye place, ʒit summe medicines be so dere þat pore men maye not haue hem.\n?a1425 Whi is þis world (Trin-C B.15.39)38 : It were ful ioiful..lordschip to haue it [read: if] so þat lorschip myʒite a man fro deeþ saue.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)160/4 : Gret sorwe..þu hast..þat þu mythtyst helpyn hem.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)71/16 : The good knyʒt..schulde neuer be so ouer-trusting in him-silf, but that he schuld doute þat he myʒte [vr. mytht] happe amys be som fortune.\na1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)425 : Myth I ryde be sompe and syke..Certys þanne schulde I be fryke.\na1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2620 : Þou schalt se þat day, man, þat a bede Schal stonde þe more in stede Þanne al þe good þat þou mytyst gete, Certys vndyr sunne.\nc1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2060 : And he myʒt be take, he shuld do me gre.\na1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)205/1665g : And yf þou mystest with sum wile com þer-to, Sone þou shuldest him there sloo.\n?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)207 : But myt we yt gete onys within our pales, I trowe we shuld sone affter put yt in a praye [read: preve].\na1300 Nu sittet (Cmb Mm.1.18)4 : Nu sittet stille and herkint alle..And sittet rume and wel atwe Þat men moþt among ev go.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)855 : Y wolde þe were maked A cloth, þou mithest inne gongen.\na1350 Horn (Hrl 2253)10/166 : Crist him myhte blesse [vr. God him yeue blisse].\na1400 Wenest þu (Lin-C 132)7 : But wolde god þat we myth ones cache þe at þe mulne stones.\n(1436) Doc.Trade in BRS 767 : Wherfore that ther myght be a writte directid unto certeyne persones that the seid ship myght be praysed and sold to the moste valou.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)149/26 : I prey þe..as many mict be turnyd be hys voys as xulde ben be thy voys.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)184/16 : I wolde I cowde louyn þe as mych as þu mythist makyn me to louyn þe.\n(1443) Doc.Trade in BRS 778 : Please it your lordschip to ordeyne herynne suche due and covenable remedie þat þe seid Richard May myght be delivered out of prison.\nc1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1607 : Ay moʒt [Dub: mot] he lefe, ay moʒt he lefe, þe lege Emperoure!\nc1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3412 : Ilk a pepill his possessioun in pes moʒt [Dub: myght] he broweke!\n?c1450 Recipe MS Bühler 21 in SML Baugh (Mrg B 21)289 : And þou wold I þat hey & lowe Myt þis gres kendely knowe.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)45/3 : I woll that my modir be sente for, that I myght speke with hir.\n?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)268/1056 : So wold to god, hert, þat þou mytyst brest.\na1500 Ihesu þt was borne (Adv)35 : Iesus..send luf and charite in-to þis londe, þat consyons moth kepe his kandul lyʒth, And lene hus grace.\nWith implied infinitive or predicate drawn from the context, usually from the preceding clause: (a) to be able to (do or make or be sth., etc.); beyete se the mai, let him get who can (get); thei beten him..and mouen no more, they beat him..and cannot (beat him) any more; in prov.: on dai bringeth that al yer ne mai, one day brings what all the year cannot (bring); -- present forms; (b) al that thou might, as muchel as thou might, in al that thou mai (might), in as muche as thou might, as much as you are able (to do, make, get, abate, draw, injure), all that you can; in (al) that he mai, so muche so he mai, as much as he is able (to honor, etc.), all that he can; al that he mai, all that she can, as much as she can [quot.: Orm. 6199]; (c) to be able (to do, be, take, plunder, etc.); the while that he mighten, while they were able (to make amends); to helpen what he mighte, help as far as he was able (to help); -- past forms with past meaning, also with present or future meaning.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)76.20/7 : Ʒenim þanne swa micel swa ðu maʒe mid twa fingre.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)48/25 : An is lichamlic, þæt is, ðæt mon þam wædliʒendan sylle..þæt he maʒe.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)70/14 : We sceolon simle synne forbuʒon, swa we selost maʒon.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)80/21 : Ne ongin þu to asmeaʒene ofer þine meðe..for þi læs ðe þu dweolie..for þan ðe ðu ne miht.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/4 : Þeo sawle is iseliʒ þe lufæð..hyre iferan & wyle him fremiæn swa heo fyrmest mæʒ.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)21 : Þe wrecche sunfulle ne elde nawiht þet he ne ga to bote þe wile he mei -- to dei he mei, tomarʒan hit him is awane.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)37 : Þet oðer is..to seke gan and þa deden helpen to buriene and helpen heom mid þon þe þu maʒe.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12748 : We don þæt bezste þat we muʒen.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)149/26 : 'Naure ne ʒesieʒe we manne þat hadde þese hali mihte mid him, þat he aure misferde.' Beʒete se ðe muge!\nc1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)38/29 : We..beoð aa wakere to wurchen al þet wa, þet we eauer mahe [Roy: mahen], moncun.\nc1225 St.Marg.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)5/7 : Hercnið, alle þe mahen ant herunge habbeð.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)27/3 : Toward te preostes tiden, hercnið se forð se ʒe mahen [Nero: muwen; Cleo: maʒen].\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)118/2 : Ʒef þu hauest leaue, do sting ʒef þu maht [Nero: meih].\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)122/1 : For þu sleptest swote, ne mah-ich for reowðe.\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)609 : He riseð & remeð lude so he mai.\na1300 On dai bringd (Rwl C.641)16 : On dai bringd thet al ier ne mai.\na1325 SLeg.Longinus (Corp-C 145)30 : We ne moweþ nower so wel men bitraye As we mouwe þer mid false bileue, ne oure maister so wel paye.\na1350 Sayings St.Bern.(Hrl 2253)30 : Greyþ þe whil þou myht.\nc1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)881 : Þerfore worch while þu mait [vr. maght].\n(a1333) Herebert Þou wommon (Add 46919)33 : Dame, help at þe neode Ich wot þou myth uol wel.\n(1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)126/17 : Yef we yzeʒe þet we miʒte more ine one daye profiti þanne hi ne moʒe ine one yere yhol, we waleweþ ase zuyn.\nc1350 Of alle þe witti (Add 45896)60 : For þey mowe tende þerto betur þen mow we.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1114 : Fondes to do þe duk what duresse ʒe may.\n(a1382) WBible(1) Prol.Kings (Bod 959)83 : In þe tabernacle of god, eche man offriþ þat he may.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2086 : Lucyna..help, for thow mayst best of alle.\n(a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.7 : I haue y-kast and y-ordeyned, as I may, to make and to write a tretes.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3151 : Religious folk..mowe bettre paye Of Venus paiementz than may [vrr. mowe, mowen] we.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.219 : He hath himself conformed..To schape and take the viage Homward, what time that he mai.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23559 : Quine mak þai, sin þai sua mu [Göt: mv; Trin-C: mow], Anoþer heuen and erth?\na1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)522 : Þey bete hym..Tyl þey be wery and mow no more.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)4127 : Abideþ me riʒth here. Jch wil come whan J maye.\nc1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)prol.206 : Biknowen it I nolde, But suffre..Coupled & vncoupled to cacche what thei mowe.\nc1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416:Everett)71/3 : Amende þe, while þou maist.\nc1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)232/34 : Þenk forto come aʒein as hasteli as þow maiste.\nc1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)116 : Be thow myn helpe in this, for thow mayst best!\nc1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1595 : He moste don his assay To gete the fles of golde, if that he may.\na1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2007 : Hys enmys schul temptyn hym to don amys If þei mown be any wey.\na1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)114/77 : Now, gud God, þou be my bilde, As þou best may.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)434/11 : I woll go to the fylde and do what I may.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.3.3a : For to come to þat lif as nier as þou mihst bi swilke meenes as þou hopest weere best vn to þe.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.16.10a : Come as neer as þou maiʒst to þat stat whilke þou hast taken.\na1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)194/12 : Here ys a foule chyld; but ʒet for hyt ys my chylde, I charch you þat hit be kepyd yn þe best wyse þat hyt may.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5251 : Itt doþ þe don i word, i werrc, All þatt tu mahht to gode.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6199 : Þa birrþ þin macche gætenn þe, All þatt ʒho maʒʒ, fra sinne.\nc1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)372 : He wille þilke day Honure þe so muche so he may.\na1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)198/12 : Þou schalt, in as miche as þou miʒt, make his complexioun moist.\na1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)80/18 : Gouerne þee discreetly in body & in soule, & gete þee þin hele as mochel as þou mayst.\n?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)138b/a : Alle þine entente schal ben in woundes of sucche places forto abate þe akkeþ in alle þat þou maie.\nc1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)8373 : Me & myne thow wolde distroye, And art aboute me to noye In al that euere thow mayt.\nc1440 HBk.GDei (Thrn:Horstmann)315 : His lyfe es lange þat trauells, in þat he may, for hyme-selfe.\na1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)23 : Þe soule is maad meke and buxum to þe wille of God, so þat it schapiþ him-silf, in al þat he may, for to be liik to him.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.23.15b : Drawe toward hit as mikil as þou maiʒt.\na1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1070 : Þa wæs þære an cyrce weard, Yware wæs gehaten, nam þa be nihte eall þet he mihte; þet wæron..reafes & swilce litles hwat, swa hwat swa he mihte.\n?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1135 : Þa wes treson a þas landes, for æuricman sone ræuede oþer þe mihte.\n?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Hi..ræueden munekes & clerekes & æuric man other þe ouer myhte.\na1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)235 : Hi..bodeden ures hlafordes to-cyme..þe sceolde..don us mid his mihte þat stef creft ne mihte.\na1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)238 : Ho nolden, þe hwile þet ho mihten [vrr. miʒte, mithten], here sunne beten.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1681 : Ældai heo..resden to þan castle, þat com to þere nihte þat lengre heo ne mihten [Otho: miþte].\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25645 : Swa sone swa heo mihten, ut of scipe heom rehten.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)27017 : Neoþeles heo fuhten swa ohtliche swa heo mahte [Otho: mihten].\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)30893 : Þe king duden swa swa swiðe swa he mæhte.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)65/5 : Ðanne ðe wile sare rewen ðat tu ðe seluen ne haddest betere iholpen ðare hwile ðe ðu mihtest.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)61 : Þe riche reoðeren & schep & bule, hwa se mihte, brohten to lake.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)159/22 : Nalde he ouer alle men sorhful beon & sari, as he eaðe mahte [Nero: muhte; Tit: mihte; Cleo: Muchte; Cai: machte]?\na1275 Doomsday (Trin-C B.14.39)27 : Þe wile þat we misten, to lutel we hire sende.\nc1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)816 : He..com hom whane he miʒte.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)120 : A letter he þer wrouʒt..As man of socour souʒt..To help what he mouʒt.\nc1330 Degare (Auch)135 : Þe swerd ʒhe hidde als ʒhe miʒte.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.857 : And fayn he wolde wreke hym, if he myghte.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.2384 : 'I se,' quod he, 'as wel as euere I myghte, Thonked be god, with bothe myne eyen two.'\nc1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1953 : Þay maden as mery as any men moʒten.\nc1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2153 : Þe wyʒe..Hit þe hors with þe helez as harde as he myʒt.\n(1415) Doc.Conspir.Hen.V in D.K.R.43583 : He p[r]ayt me to abyde to ye Thursday..And I said treuly I meghte not, but I wolde cum qwat day ye lorde of Clyfford and he sette.\na1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)440 : I had hight Unto myne ost..To com ogayn if þat I myght.\na1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)587 : I thanked hir as I best myghte.\nc1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)75 : Her frendes comforted hem as they myʒten.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)94/17 : As myche as he myʒt, he counceilid þat Paris schuld not go in-to Grece to rauysch Helayne.\na1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)16964 : For so longe they hadden j-fowhte that nyhande non lengere they mowhte.\nc1450 Ladd Y the daunce (Cai 383/603)p.308 : Euer Y ber it priuey wyle that Y mouth, Tyl my gurdul aros, my wombe wax out.\n(1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)118/18 : He hipped forth as he myte tyl he cam to þe nexte town.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)277/3 : Ecchone of the bretherne halpe other as well as they myght.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)358/14 : He wolde a spokyn and myght nat.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.17.11b : Manye of hem hadde wel lefer serue God, if þei miʒten, as þou dost in bodili reste.\nWith implied inf. or pred. from context: to perhaps be able [often difficult to distinguish from 5a.]: (a) present forms; (b) past forms.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)17 : Þu scalt..wið-stewen his uueles ʒif þu muhʒe.\na1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)233 : Muʒe we ahct clepeien hine moder wene we? ʒie muʒe we.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)506 : Get he sal cumen or domes-day And wenden iewes, if he may.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7499 : We shulle þe helpe ʒif we may.\na1425(?a1400) PCounsel.(Hrl 674)172/9 : I wolde fele God & lake þe felyng of my-self, & I may not.\n?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)122a/b : Staunche þe blode ʒif þou maie.\nc1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)188 : He moste ʒoke hem in that plow, The bestes bolde, if that he mow.\n(?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.131 : Fro febul lond, ek chaunge hem yf thou mowe.\na1500(?a1400) Firumb.(2) (Fil)703 : Y schal fonde, ʒyf y may in any skynnes maner, To gete here som mete.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)17 : Þu hine..wið-stewest ʒif þu mihtest.\nc1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)156 : And ʒerne he had his ostesse bisouʒt Þat ʒhe him helpe ʒif ʒhe mouʒt.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)147 : Þis witty werwolf..þouʒt or he went a-way he wold, ʒif he miʒt, wayte hire sum wicked torn.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4123 : To stint wald he, if he moght [Frf: muʒt].\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)14830 : And quar-for sent we yow..Bot for to tak him if yee moght?\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22047 : For, if he moght [Phys-E: micht; Trin-C: myʒte], al wald he quell.\nc1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)358 : Awey fro hem he wold adrawe, Yf þat he myʒt.\nc1500(1342) The fals fox (Cmb Ee.1.12)25 : The goodman swore, yf that he myght, he wolde hym slee or it wer nyght.\nWith implied verb of motion, action, being, etc., not drawn from the immediate context: (a) with implied gon: to be able to go; ~ over, over ~, climb upon (sb.); fig. get the better of (sb.), subdue; i ne mai nought ther-to, I cannot attain to it, I cannot comprehend it; what he mighte, as fast as he could go; (b) with implied don: to be able to do, be able to do (sth.); and he mai as he mente, if he can do as he intends (?says); i mai no more, I can do no more; mighte she werse mighte she bet, if she did worse or if she did better, in spite of all that she could do; we mouen no thing ayenes treuth, we can do nothing against truth; (c) in proverb: be able to do something; he ne mai when he wile the nolde tho he mighte, he who would not do it when he could do it will not be able to do it when he wishes to do it; (d) with implied ben: can be; as il as he mighte, as ill as he was; that to god ~, that which can be for good, that which can be beneficial; (e) with implied beren: to be able to bear (sth.), can endure; (f) with implied verb of eating or drinking; (g) with implied verb of having or getting; ~ forebisen, to have or take an example (from sth.); if he the maistrie mai, if he can have the mastery; as longe as thei mouen, as long as they can have it; (h) with implied verb of accomplishing; if that tristrem mai, if Tristram can bring it about; in al that he mai, as fast as he can do it; (i) with implied verb of preventing or avoiding; as ye mai, as you can avoid it; if (and) i mai, if I can prevent it, if I can stop you (it); if that i mai, if I can avoid it; she mighte hit nought, she could not prevent (help) it;(j) ?with implied haven as part of verb phrase; mighte..sustened, might have sustained.\n1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1131 : Þa ferde he into Clunni, & þær man him held þat he ne mihte na east na west.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)6/2 : Swa hwa swa ne bið ʒeedcenned of watere & of þam Halʒæ Gaste, ne mæʒ he into Godes rice.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)137/2 : 'Buh þe,' he seið, 'duneward þet ich mahe [Cleo: mai] ouer þe.'\nc1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)7215 : Poueremen þat hii moweþ [B: mowe; vr. mow] ouer, hii huldeþ as ʒe iseþ.\nc1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)7907 : For we no mow nowhar oway.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2690 : Mark, her lord, þe king, Wiþ tresoun may hir to.\nc1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)138.5 : Þy conynge is made wonderful vp me..and y ne mai nouʒt þer-to [L non potero ad eam].\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4117 : For it was nyght, and ferther myghte they noght.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)5.6 : I ne miʒte [vrr. I myght no, ne myght I, mihti not] ferþere a fote.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5947 : Þe egle..ful hiʒe gan to sore, Toward Grekis enhastinge what he myʒt.\n(c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)234/17 : Sche myth not enduryn so gret jurneys..And þerfor sche labowryd..tyl þat sche fel in sekenes and myth no ferþer.\nc1450 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Lamb 853)604 : Ful foule schulde þi foos be fesid If þou myʒte ouer hem, as y ouer þee may.\nc1450 This is goddis (Lamb 853)93 : For & þou ouer me miʒtist, as y ouer þee may, Weel bittirli þou woldist me bynde.\nc1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)238/21 : And on the lefte hande, þe payne of helle, ay indurynge, whiche thay drede thay moun to.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)372/1 : And whan she was farre in the foreste she myght no farther, but ryght there she gan to travayle faste of hir chylde.\n?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1132 : Þa he nan mor ne mihte, þa uuolde he ðat his nefe sculde ben abbot in Burch.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)24/18,32 : He mæʒ alle þing on ælcere stowe..þurh his mycele ʒife, þe mæʒ alle ðing.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)4862 : Halde þe..forr þatt mann þatt litell maʒʒ & litell cann to gode.\na1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)233 : He ʒesceop alle þing of nahte, and na þing ne maʒi [i.e. maʒ i] aʒenes his wille.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)57/615 : Þu art an þet al maht.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)999 : Hwi were him erueð to don (þe þet alle þing mei, & wule al þet god is) to neomen monnes cunde?\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)156/23 : Þu witest ei þing þi sunne bute þe seoluen..þu seist þet tin unstrengðe ne mahte nawt elles.\nc1300 SLeg.Becket (Hrl 2277)p.17 : And ynemai noʒt bothe wel.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1183 : He ne wisten hwat he mouthen.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2820 : Nu is forðgon ðe ðridde dai; Sende an-oðer, bettre he mai.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3234 : Ge sulen sen ðis ilke dai Quat godes migt for gu mai.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)413 : He no wist what he mouʒt, Bot semly sett him doun.\nc1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)137/205 : Þe fader hys god, for he may al.\n(1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)21/19 : Þe man..wenþ by more worþ þanne he by, oþer more may þanne he moʒe [Vices & V.(2): he may more do þan he may].\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Wisd.7.27 : Wisdam..is of þe euerlastinge liʒt..& siþen it is oon, alle thingis it mai [L omnia potest].\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Wisd.11.24 : Þou hast merci of alle, for alle thingis þou maist [L omnia potes].\n(c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Cor.13.8 : We mowen no thing aʒens treuthe.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.689 : Ther is no sleihte at thilke nede, Which eny loves faitour mai, That he ne put it in assai.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.987 : He with hire is nothing wroth, For wel he wot sche may ther noght.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.111 : The god commandeth the natures..Her myht is non, and he mai al.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17850 : Godd, þat al mightes mai, þat es up-ras o ded and liijf.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1007 : Ac miʒth she wers, miʒtb [read: miʒth] she bett.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)6277 : Alle þise kyng Alisaunder haþ bishet, Mowen hij wers, mowen hij bett.\nc1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)300 : Þe þrydde, to passe þys water fre -- Þat may no ioyfol jueler.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1624 : They hire highten To ben hire helpe in al that evere they myghten.\n?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.12.161 : Ther nys no thyng that he ne may?\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)280/27 : Take my soule out of my body, for I may no moore.\nc1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)440 : I hafe so foghetyn wyth þis bare -- So helpe me God, I may no mare -- This es þe fourte daye.\nc1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)14964 : I am so mased and mate þat I may now no more.\na1475 As y gan wandre (Brog 2.1)23 : Sethe in sin I have I-be; Now I am olde, I may no more.\nc1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)51a/a : Who þat is of þis complexioun, by cause of heete him lustiþ myche, and by cause of moistnesse he may myche.\nc1475(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)16 : For he seiþ in the gospel, 'þe Sone mai not of himsilf ani þing.'\na1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)672 : Helpe, god, that all may!\na1500 Degrev.(Cmb Ff.1.6)221 : Sir, and he may as he ment, His game woll he never stent.\na1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)136/14 : He that all may, departith and dividith the powers.\na1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)58/26 : If þou loke to þiself, þou maist no suche þinge of þiself.\na1500 I am olde (Tan 407)5 : I may not as I myght on my partye; therefor I am for-sake!\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)173/1 : He ne mei hwen he wule, þe nalde þa he mahte.\na1325 Prov.Hend.(Cmb Gg 1.1)st.46 : Wo se nel, wan he mai, he ne scel nouth, wan he wolde.\nc1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)5902 : For I haue herd offte say That he that wil not whan he may, When he wolde, he getis it noght.\nc1450 Dc.Prov.(Dc 52)p.57 : Who-so wylle not when he may, He shall not whan he wylle.\nc1475 Rwl.Prov.(Rwl D.328)p.117 : He þat wylnot whan he may, a schall not whan he wyll.\na1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)5287 : But they that woll not when þey maye, They shall not when þey wolde!\na1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)161/32 : Who so will not whan he may, he shal not when he wille.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)58/7 : Þæt mon þam þearfum sylle þæt to gode maʒe.\nc1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)75/11 : And þan þis holie man, yitt als ill as he myght, rase up & went vnto þe kurk.\n(1461) Paston3.267 : London was as sory cite as myght.\na1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)235 : Loke..þat pottes for wyne & ale be as clene as þey mowe.\n(c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.10.13 : God..schal not suffre ʒou for to be temptid ouer that that ʒe mown.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)236/29 : And counceile hem to do penaunce, and þat þei take it as for an instrument..not to ech liche, but as þei ben able for to bere and aftir her myʒt & staat, to summe lesse and to summe myche, as þei mowe.\na1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)37/23 : Wanne þe asaye to souʒpe of þe same broth, þanne is it so bitter þei may not þer of.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)81 : Her of me mei ane forbisne of twa brondes.\na1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)66 : Þe mare haueþ & þe þe lesse, baþe hi muʒen iliche, Alse mid his penie alse oðer mid his punde.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)1999 : Þou dredest he wil þe spille Ʒif he þe maistrie may Aboue.\nc1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1283 : Ac arst þow schalt sykery me..þat þou for me schalt don a þyng..& ther-to ben myn helpyng by the power þat þou maye.\nc1390 In Somer bifore (Vrn)45 : Wiþ al þe Mekenes þat we moun, We schal crye.\n?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.11.203 : They desiren naturely here lif as longe as evere thei mowen.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)3011 : Tristrem and ganhardin, Treuþe pliʒten þay..Til he wiþ brengwain haue lin, Ʒif þat tristrem may.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.85 : This cook shal drynke ther of, if I may.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1097 : What is my gilt? for goddes loue tel it, And it shal ben amended, if I may.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2175 : It shal been amended, if I may.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2122 : And ʒif I myʒt, it schul ben amendid.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.419 : In al þat euer he may, First he chaungeþ all his riche array.\nc1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)544/19 : He lafte al his ordynaunce in Irlond and hastet hym into Englond in al that he myghte.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)52/18 : Hereby ys a swerde that shall be youre, and I may.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)432/21 : That is a full ungoodly place for suche a fayre lady, and yf I may, she shall nat be longe there.\nc1330 Otuel (Auch)290 : Þou ne sschalt neuere after þat day, Despice freinchs man, ʒef ich may.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.19 : Leseth no tyme, as ferforth as ye may.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.89 : Ne I wol noon reherce, if that I may.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.5062 : Of thilke wickednesse Which was unto hire bodi wroght, Al were it so sche myhte it noght, Nevere afterward the world ne schal Reproeven hire.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1418 : My body, at the leeste way, Ther shal no wight defoulen, if I may.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1297 : It shal nought be so, Yif that I may.\nc1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)441 : Ʒe xall not choppe my jewellys, and I may.\n(1440) Wars France in RS 22.2450 : The whiche gode, and it had ben wel gouverned, might [?read: might have] many a yeere susteyned youre werres.\nIn senses very close to those of OE mōtan or MnE may [although the verb frequently retains something of the usual meaning of OE mæg, magon together with the newer sense]: (a) to be permitted (to do sth.), be allowed, may; (b) to be permitted (to have sth., be sth., be somewhere).\nc1200 Wor.Serm.in EGSt.7 (Wor Q.29)42 : He..valde þet man heuene forlure þech he him sulf þider ne michte cume.\na1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)129 : Heo weren ipult ut of paradise and ne mehten þer naleng etstonden.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13126 : Na munec þer in cumen ne maie buten Costanz ane.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13875 : We færen scolden; ne mihte [Otho: moste] we bilæue.\nc1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)20/311,313 : Þis song ne muhen [Tit: mahen] nane buten heo singen..ne muhten [Tit: muhe] nane folhin him.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)8/18 : He mei þe uttre riwle changin efter wisdom.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)8/1 : Ʒef ha hit ne bihat nawt, ha hit mei do þah & leauen hwen ha wel wule.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)15/9 : Ʒe muhe [Cleo: muʒen] seggen hit biuoren & efter uhtsong.\na1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)164 : Nedeð ðe ðe deuel nogt, for he ne mai ðe deren nogt.\n?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)49 : Þou mait saien al þine wille, And I shal herknen and sitten stille.\nc1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)6/103 : Ʒif þu to liue Mictest [vr. mote] go, An þine feren also..Þou suldes slen us alle.\nc1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)75/146 : Ʒe ne mouwen esche me non-more.\nc1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)538 : Þou ne miʒt axi nonmore.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3017,3021 : To-morgen, bute he mugen vt-pharen, Egyptes erf sal al forfaren..And get ne migte ðis folc vt-gon, Swilc harnesse is on pharaon.\nc1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)307 : And þilke þat beþ maidenes clene, Þai mai hem wassche of þe rene.\nc1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.43 : Iesus crist graunte vs grace so forto don, þat we mowen comen in to his regne & dwellen wiþ hym.\n(c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.482 : Thow that ne mayst but oonly lyf bireue, Thow hast noon oother power ne no leue.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1318 : A beest may [vr. maie] al his lust fulfille.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1595 : May I nat axe a libel, sire somnour, And answere there by my procuratour?\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1554 : Ye mowe for me right as yow liketh do.\na1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)275/7 : He mai ete pork & motoun.\nc1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)966 : Þou may not enter wythinne hys tor, Bot of þe Lombe I haue þe aquylde For a syʒt þerof.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.341 : For, by the statute of the kyng, he may, Who so that wele, entren and assay.\na1422 Gild St.Geo.Nrw.(Rwl D.913)445 : The King..hatz graunted and leue ʒeuen..that thei mown purchace and hold to hem..londes, rentis, and seruises within the Cite..to the value of x li. ʒerely.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.292 : She let falle Her look a lite aside in swich manere Ascaunces: 'What! may I nat stonden here?'\na1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1235 : 'Ʒee,' quod Jacob, 'I praye Crist, þat I may Abyde, to se þat ylke day.'\na1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)2312 : Syr, take noʒt þis sonde in veyn; Thou myʒt wende and come ageyn.\na1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)13/11 : Þou schalt be kald a foundere of a gentil lenage, wich name þou mayst not kalenge be riʒt þi auncesteres hadde ben noble.\n(1432) Paston2.35 : The..Erle desireth..that he may putte hem from exercise and occupacion of the Kinges service.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)55/32 : So he was fallyn in-to irregularite & mygth not executyn hys orderys wyth-owtyn dispensacyon of þe Cowrt of Rome.\n(1445) Visit.Alnwick267 : They may not go out therefrom as they list.\n(c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)120 : Where is it in Holi Scripture groundid..that men schulden or miʒten lauʒwe?\nc1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1681 : I will..Þat þe men of Medi man, be ʒoure leue, Lang all in oure lawe lely to-gedire.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)21/1 : So they preyde them that they myght passe.\na1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)171/318a : Noman entere ne may Ayen ther will.\nc1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)696 : Nauʒt wyue yet Y ne may.\na1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)511 : He seyd þat he myʒt nay com inward 'Tyll euerych i graunttyd þe thyrd partt Of þat ye wold yeve me.'\na1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1127 : Ealle þa ærcebiscopes..seidon þat hit wæs to geanes riht & þat he ne mihte hafen twa abbotrices on hande.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.23 : I axe why that the fifthe man Was noon housbonde to the Samaritan. How manye myghte she haue in mariage?\na1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)29/30 : In þat tyme sal ye noht rede þe boke of þe kingis..In oþir tyme mai it be red.\na1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)5/21 : Þou mai be a good man, a gret man, ʒe a kyng, an emperour, ʒif god wele it suffre.\nc1430 Usages Win.(Win-HRO W/A3/2)p.87 : Whanne eny of þe toun..empleteþ þe foreyn, he may haue is delay wyth-oute day of toune.\n(a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)49/3 : I lofe wyfes also..whech woldyn levyn chast ʒyf þei mygtyn haue her wyl.\na1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)32/352 : Her-to ich answar þe & sei þat te maist lawfulliche i-now & with-owten synne be at festis.\nIn senses resembling those of MnE shall, will, should, would [usually with vestiges of the older senses of mouen]: (a) expressing futurity: shall, will; (b) in narratives, etc.: ~ heren (iheren), you will hear, etc.; ~ leren (witen, haven mirthe); ~ seien (tellen), I shall tell, etc.; (c) expressing past futurity: should, would; (d) mighte taken herberge, would grant lodging, ?wished to grant lodging.\n?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)81.25/2 : Ne mæʒ he fram hundes beon borcen.\nc1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)18/15 : Ðonne maʒe ʒe iseon & to soðe ilyfæn.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)199-200 : Þa seʒʒde Zacariass..Þurrh whatt maʒʒ icc nu witenn þiss, Þatt itt me muʒhe wurrþenn?\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1520 : Ne cume ʒe..ær ich ou sende sutel word, wheðer ich maʒe [Otho: mawe] þe ufere hond habben of þan kinge.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3180 : Of alle mine londe..þe ich auere biʒeat oðer bi-ʒete mæie [Otho: mawe]..ne scal heo habbe nawiht.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)4508 : Sone hit mæi [Otho: mai] ilimpen þanne ihc hunnen liðe.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)20115 : Ne muʒe we hine quic iseon.\na1225 Lamb.Hom.Pater N.(Lamb 487)67/205 : Þenne muʒe we wenen and seggen þus.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)157/12 : 'Þe liun schal greden,' he seið; 'hwa ne mei [Nero: schal] beon offearet?'\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)189/22 : I þe weie is bitacnet meosure & wisdom, þet euch mon..weie hwet he mahe [Nero: muwe; Tit: muhe; Cleo: muʒe] don.\na1250 Mon may longe (Mdst A.13)26 : Sore þu mith þe a-drede.\na1275 Seinte marie leuedi (Trin-C B.14.39)45 : We mowen iheren ant isen.\na1275 Þene latemeste dai (Trin-C B.14.39)100 : Messes lete we singen & alme don ilome..Þonne mou we [read: mouwe; vrr. mohe þe, muwe we] quemen crist.\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)92/201 : Ne may he newir forfarin..hwilis þat is lif lesten may [vr. mote].\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)126/529 : Þenne muʒe we [vr. mawe we] wenen þad he us wile wurþen.\n?a1300 *Body & S.(4) (Dgb 86)23* : Of pines harde and stronge miʒtt þou ben ful siker.\na1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)38 : Þe pouere men ʒe mowe euere habbe; me ne shulleþ ʒe nouʒt so.\na1325 Loke man (Bod 42)10 : Þer þu mit hi-uinde blode an sorue.\na1350 My deþ (Hrl 2253)20 : Be þou in mi bour ytake..þe deþ so þou maht wynne.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)324 : Ʒif þou wolt ʒeue þe to gode, swiche grace may þe falle.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1236 : Ful blisfully in prisoun maistow [vrr. mayst þow, might þou, mayght þou; must thou] dure -- In prisoun? certes nay, but in paradys!\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1360 : So muchel sorwe had neuere creature That is or shal whil that the world may dure [vrr. wol dure, endure].\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1770 : Now maystow syngen folwyng euere in oon The white lamb celestial.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2788 : So mow ye witen wel forthi That for the time slep I hate.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5518 : And we ma [Göt: sal; Trin-C: shul] sua our landes tin.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11963 : Vr neghburs mai [Frf: wil; Trin-C: wol] þam on vs wreke.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)6313 : Ne shullen hij eten elles, Jch it wil avowe, Als longe as hij lybben mowe.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)6.102 : Þus miʒt [vrr. mught, may] þou [vrr. maihtou, myghtestow] lese his loue.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)8.80 : Þo þat lyuen þus here lif, mowe [vrr. mowen, moun, may] loþe þe tyme.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.1024 : Thow hast a ful gret care Lest that the cherl may falle out of the moone!\na1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)19/26 : Vse honeste in lyuyng, & þou mayt haue no betere besom to swepe a wey þe motes of infames birþe.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)235/17 : Þus þou maist see þat þere schulde be no grucchyng aʒens noone of my seruauntis þat doon penaunce.\n(1426) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)340 : I be quethe x li. to be bestowyd on bokes..for to be memoriall for John Hadle sumtyme meyre and for me there while they mowe laste.\n?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)22 : I Renounce to..alle thinges euerych that to the hole Empyre and Jurisdiccion in the same Rewmes and lordshipes in eny wyse longen or mow longe.\nc1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)73/33 : Gyffe vs..vndedlynesse so þat we mow noʒte dye.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)3/34,4/1 : And therfore my desire, corage and wille Is that noble hertis may this report So welle, that to all it may be disport.\n(c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)53 : Certis, here y may sette þe xije trouþe.\na1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)5/12 : And as men goon thorw the reumys beforeseyd, they mowe passe thorw a cete that is callid Cypron.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)44/27 : But I mervayle muche of thy wordis that I mou dye in batayle.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1002/29 : And ye blede so muche, ye mo dye.\nc1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)2067 : My fomen beþ y-slayn, Maboun and Yrayn; Jn pes now may we dure.\na1150(c1125) Vsp.D.Hom.Fest.Virg.(Vsp D.14)20/55 : Emb hire eadmodnysse we mugen eac secgen, [etc.].\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)20/12 : Her ʒe maʒen iheron þæt, ðe þe næfð ðone Sune, þæt he næfð ðone Fæder.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)78/21 : Nu maʒe ʒe ihyren hu þe Hælend andswerede.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)9/16 : Þer beoþ twa dalen to twa manere þe beoð of religiuse; to eiðer limpeð his dale, as ʒe mahen iheren.\na1275 Doomsday (Trin-C B.14.39)37 : Wið þe sunfule also ʒe mahen [vrr. mouin, mawen] ihere, 'Goð, awariede gostes..In-to berninde fur.'\na1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)3 : Here i mai tellen ou [vrr. ic ʒow wille telle, ʒe schul here telle] wid wordes feire ant swete þe vie of one meidan, was hoten maregrete.\na1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)72/14 : So we muʒen [vr. ye mawe] i-herin whu we [read: ʒe] ʒure lif lede sulin.\na1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)89 : At þe schere þursday, as ye mawen ihere, Þo vre louerd was isethe to his supere, [etc.].\n?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)279 : Nou ʒe mowen ihere hou hende oure Louerd is.\nc1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)5/30 : Hit was vpon a someres day, Also ihc ʒou telle may.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)11 : Hauelok was a ful god gome..Þat ye mowen nou y-here.\na1350 Ase y me rod (Hrl 2253)43 : Þe furþe ioie we telle mawen.\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)199 : Rewþe mow ʒe here Of roulandriis þe kniʒt.\nc1330 Otuel (Auch)398 : Þe king roulond ifere, Wente forþ as ʒe moun here.\nc1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1319 : And þer he wroʒt as þe wyse, as ʒe may wyt hereafter.\na1425 Assump.Virg.(1) (Add 10036)111/4 : And ʒif ʒe wille to me here, Off oure ladi ʒe mai lere.\n(c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)111/7 : Herkyns to me, now mou [alt. to: moy] ʒe here What payns to synful mon be dyʒt.\na1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)191/1221 : And sythen he was slayne þere, As ye may [vrr. shal, shul] sone after here.\nc1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)161 : Than may I sey thus and begynne Wyth fyve prudent vyrgyns of my reme.\nc1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)20 : Whoso wylle a stounde dwelle, Of mykylle myrght y may ʒou telle.\na1500 Listenythe nowe & (Dgb 88)20 : Yf ye wyll here, ye mowne haue myrthe.\nc1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)5/8 : Hwo so hit iseiʒe, he mihte beon offered.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2411 : Ʒa mihhte ʒho sket affterr þatt Wiþþ hire macche sammnenn.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3539 : Alle men vpon mold miʒth hem schame speke.\nc1390 NHom.Theoph.(Vrn)532 : Heo hedde igete him graunt, þat he mihte [vr. suld] beo hire sone seruaunt.\na1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)75/11 : Miʒt it euer fele as it feliþ, euer wolde it crie as it crieþ.\n(a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)133 : Ther shulde non off hem [the lords] growe to be like vnto hym [the king]..Ner thai myght growe soche be mariages, but yff the kyng wolde hit.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1391 : Eliezer..Askede hire if ghe migte taken Herberge for hire frendes sake.\nIn senses resembling those of ME ouen and shulen [also cp. OE þurfan]: (a) ought (to do sth.), should (do sth.), be obligated, be advised, have it coming to one as one's due; ne might thou..so flen, you should not (are ill-advised to) flee thus; with implied verb: i wel mai, I surely ought to be satisfied; -- often with neg.; (b) must; (c) to have good reason (to do or be sth.); -- also with implied infin.; blithe mouen ye ben, you have reason to be glad; i mai ben wroth, I have reason to be angry; thou mightest wel compleinen, you have good cause to lament; ~ wel, wel ~, ~ lelli, ~ rightli.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1578 : Ne miht [Otho: miþt] þu na wiht so fleon ʒif þu us wlt heonne fleman.\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)256 : Þu miʒtest [Jes-O: mihtest] bet hoten galegale.\nc1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)25/412 : Horn þo him biþoʒte What he speke miʒte.\nc1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)32/100 : Þare-fore men mouwe þanne holde is feste bi riʒte lawe.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)466 : Eke wite i al þe wrong þe werk of mi eiʒen & þouʒh sertes, so may i nouʒt by no soþe riʒt.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.710 : If thou thi conscience Entamed hast in such a wise, In schrifte thou thee myht avise And telle it me.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.776 : For euery word men may nat chide or pleyne.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5309 : So þat of feith ʒe mow hem nat repreue.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)67/3 : Ʒe mown arise from þe corrupcioun of synnes..and fle to my mynystris for refuyt.\na1475 Leve lystynes (Brog 2.1)32 : The viij wyffe was well I-taʒte And seyd, 'seldom am I saʒte, And so I well may.'\n(1478) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.119 : The said Vicary Chirchewardeyns and parisshens and also the said Alice and Thomas disposed to have particion of and in the said ij tenementes Aley shoppes howses and Gardeyns soo that either partie of theym mought have clere notice and knowledge of his porcion.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1322 : Withouten doute, it may [vr. moot] stonden so.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.726 : Ther as I was wont to be right fressh and gay Of clothyng..Now may I were an hose vp on myn heed.\na1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)341 : Þow mast me fynde, at my deuyse, Seuen horses al of prys.\n(c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)1 : Foure þingis ben necessarie to..good lyvyng, which iiij..mowe not be lackid of vs.\na1150(c1125) Vsp.D.Hom.Fest.Virg.(Vsp D.14)30/141 : Swa þæt man mæig rihtlice beo hire secgen: 'Martha wæs bisig and cearig emb þa þenunge.'\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)10/20 : Ac þe an Hælend, on æʒðer ʒecynde Godes ant monnes, mihte wæl swa spæcan.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)116/23 : Rihtlice þa men maʒen beon þurh Moyses bitacnod.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)ded.177 : Off all þiss god uss brinngeþþ..Goddspell, & forrþi maʒʒ itt wel God errnde ben ʒehatenn.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)123 : Nan mann nohht ne fand onn hemm To tælenn ne to wreʒenn, Noff whatt menn mihhtenn habbenn niþ.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)177/18 : Ʒe beoð niht & dei up o godes rode. bliðe mahe ʒe [Tit: muhe ʒe; Cleo: muʒe ʒe] beon þrof.\na1275 Nu þis fules (Trin-C B.14.39)20 : Wel mitte þe [read: he] berigge of godes sune be.\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)228 : Þar of ich wndri, & wel mai.\nc1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1292 : Þe niʒtingale sat & siʒte, & hoh-ful was, & ful wel miʒte.\nc1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)632 : Sore hi beoþ offerd, & wel maʒe [vr. mawe].\nc1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)1739 : Sche þouʒt, 'y may be wroþ..Tristrem and y boaþe Beþ schent.'\n1372 Lullay lullay litel child child (Adv 18.7.21)5 : Lullay..litel child, sorwe mauth þu make.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1355 : He may lelly be hold a lord & ledere of peples.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.530 : Lordes hestes..mowe wel been biwailled or compleyned.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2788 : Þe slauʒtte miʒth vche man rewe, For hij ne miʒtten heued vp habben Bot hij lauʒtten dedly dabben.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1918 : Þou myʒtest wel compleyne and make dool.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5833 : O Troye, allas! wel maistow mourne & wepe.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.896 : O tyme ilost, wel maistow corsen slouthe!\na1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2195 : Thou maist well seyn..That he is gentil.\nc1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1952 : Wel maystow wepe, O woful Theseus.\na1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1849 : Lo, Syr Werld, ʒe moun agryse Þat ʒe be seruyd on þis wyse.\na1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2636 : Out, I crye, and noþynge lowe, On Coueytyse, as I wel may.\na1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)6460 : Weel may þou hote Coer de Lyoun!\n?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)148/60 : Cryst in oure kend is clad; þerfore mankend may be glad.\nc1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)17/18 : And in þis vndirstonding may wel be take þe wordis of crist, whanne he seid, [etc.].\nc1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)444 : I myght well be callyde a foppe.\na1525(?1474) Cov.Leet Bk.391 : The presens of your noble person reioyseth your [read: our] hartes all; We all mowe blesse the tyme of your Natiuite.\nIn semantically empty (or nearly empty) uses, comparable to certain uses of do and be in MnE: mai (mouen) ben, is (are); mighte sen, did see, saw; amounten mighte, amounted to; hir herte mighte bresten, her heart did burst, ?her heart came close to bursting; what mai hit menen, what does it mean?; who mai that ben, who can that be?, who is that?; if bettre mighte ben, if there were a better one; bettre..no mai non gon, grisloker ne mai ben, hardere..ne mai non ben, there can be (there is) no better (grislier, harder); the best (moste)..that mai ben, the best that mai gon, the heighest that mai liven, the best (greatest, highest) there is. [In some of these instances, mouen may serve to add emphasis or to express doubt.]\nc1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)8/18 : Ða cwæð dauid, 'Hwæt þinga mei ðæt beon swa merlices?'\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)902 : Þis mei beon [Otho: þis vs þincheþ] wel idon.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12080 : Seolcuð heom þuhte what hit beon mahte.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)29586 : Þer uoren heo maʒen iteled beon.\na1275 Louerd asse þu ard (Trin-C B.14.39)95 : Alle þat beoit wise, monihen he maven Of crist þat heo bet acorsede þat him [Cain] efter drauen.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)233 : Þe meste sorwe that micte be.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1080 : The king aþelwald me dide swere..Þat y shu[l]de his douthe[r] yeue Þe hexte þat mithe liue.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1929 : Hauelok hauede..Of hise slawen sixti and on Sergaunz, þe beste þat mithen gon.\n(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2330 : Þer mouhte men se þe boles beyte.\na1325 Þenc man of mi (Roy 12.E.1)4 : Hardere deth ne mai non ben.\nc1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2188 : Better bodis no miʒt non go.\nc1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)2897 : Noyse & cri he herd in þat cite; He gan oxy what it miʒt be.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.3005 : Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, That euery part diryveth from his hool.\n(c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.246 : It is nat honeste, it may [vr. maie] nat auaunce For to deelen with no swich poraille.\nc1390 Susan.(Vrn)345 : Þou and þi cursed cumpere, ʒe mou [vrr. mon, may] not a-corde.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.586 : Bot yit ther ben of londes fele..Which of the people be forlete..For it mai noght ben habitable.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)1.58 : Þe dungeon in þe dale..What may it mene?\nc1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)771 : Quat kyn þyng may be þat Lambe?\nc1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1186 : A corner of þe cortyn he caʒt vp a lyttel & waytez warly þider-warde quat hit be myʒt.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.620 : What may it be? Who kan the sothe gesse?\n?a1425 Castle Love(4) (CotApp 7)181 : Bot Pese mey be for no thyng Bot if Mercy haue hir askyng Of þat man þat is lorne.\n?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)168b/b : Wine is þe best incarnatiue þat maie ben in þis case.\nc1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1833 : Hyre frendes axen what hire eylen myghte.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)39/9 : A good knyghte schulde not fayle his felawe for no maner of perill þat myʒt be.\na1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)9826 : Þe most del was slayn of þat frape; Vnneþes myghter any a-scape.\na1450 SLeg.Fran.(2) (Bod 779)385 : A dragon hym þouʒt it was; grisloker ne myʒte be.\nc1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)448 : 'Lord,' thoght I, 'who may that be? What ayleth hym to sitten her?'\nc1450 Okure þrow (Eg 2810)p.232 : Ʒete if þe wedde were worthy mare Þan þe dette amounte mighte, Hym behouyd ʒylde agayn þrogh ryghte.\na1475 In place (Hrl 3954)138 : Here tendre hert myth breste on iij Quan she sau here sone fre On rode hys lyf lete.\n?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)31/86 : The best schep..I tythe it to god..And bettyr wold if bettyr myht be.\n(a1475) Recipe Painting(2) in Archaeol.J.1 (Sln 73)155 : On this manere thu myʒt make azure bis.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.10.6b : Bute alle swilk manere of felinges mowen be good, wrouʒt bi a good angel; and þei mowen be disceiuable, feyned bi awilked [read: a wikked] angel.\na1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)923 : What may þat be? I know it not, be Goddis tre!\na1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)5875 : But I shal telle what it may be Þat þe folke so falling se.\n?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)206 : Yea, yea, master, a strawe For talis, That ma not fale in my beleve!\n(a) In combination with other modal verbs: connen and ~, ~ and connen, to know how and be able (to do sth.); -- also with implied inf.; connen ne ~, ~ no connen, neither know how nor be able (to do sth.); -- also with implied inf.; connen or (other) ~, know how or be able (to do or be sth.); -- also with implied inf.; ouen and ~, can and ought (to do sth.); ~ and shulen, can and must (be sth.); shulen not or ~ not, must not or cannot (be translated); shulen or ~, be obliged or be able (to do sth.); willen and ~, ~ and willen, be able and willing (to do or be sth.); -- also with implied inf.; ne ~..ne willen, not be able nor wish (to do sth.), cannot and will not; ne willen..other ne ~, be unwilling or unable (to do sth.); on can and..other mai, one knows how and the other has the strength; connen ~ and willen, ~ connen and willen, ouen connen or ~, mighte oughte coude or mighte haven coude; [especially in later quots., it is often difficult to pin down the precise meanings of these modals]; (b) in combination with itself: mighte or mai, ?could or can, ?can or may, ?might or can; mouen or mai, ?can or may, ?may or can.\n1123 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1123 : Se biscop of Særes byrig..wæs þær to geanes eall þat he mihte & cuðe.\na1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)2/20-1 : Heo næfre ne mihten ne nolden syððan fram his wylle gebugen, ne heo ne magon nu, ne heo nylleð, nane synne gewirecen.\n?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : I ne can ne i ne mai tellen alle þe wunder ne alle þe pines ðat hi diden wrecce men on þis land.\na1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)221 : Þa nigen angle wærod..nefre ne mihten ne noldan siððan fram his wille ʒebugon, ne hi muʒen ne hi nelleð nane synne ʒewercon.\na1200(?c1175) PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)380 : He one mai & sal [vr. wule] al ben angles and manne blisse.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)9/24 : Leasinge..all Adames ofspring hafð be-smiten, ðe speken cuðen oðer mihten, wið-uten Crist..and sæinte Marie.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)55/4 : Hie ðe child nolden beren oðer ne mihten, hie waren ihealden swiðe unwurð be ðan daiʒe.\nc1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)293 : Engles & sawlen, þurh þet ha bigunnen, ahten & mahten endin þurh cunde.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)93/16 : Sum ancre..mahen [Nero: muwe; Tit: muhe; Cleo: muchte] & schulen [Cleo: schulde] þurh ham þe betere beon iborhen.\na1300 Edi beo þu (Corp-O 59)40 : Ase þu ert freo & wilt & maucht, help me to mi liues ende, & make me wið þin sone isauʒt.\na1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1483 : Bryng þi-sulf ffram þe deþ ʒif þou wolt and miʒt.\n(c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3679 : Greet wonder is how that he koude or myghte [vrr. might, muʒt, miht] Be domesman of hire dede beautee.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2312 : Now help me, lady, sith ye may and kan.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2933 : We preyen yow and biseken yow, as mekely as we konne and mowen, that it like vn to youre grete goodnesse to fulfille in dede youre goodliche wordes.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.816 : Bitwixen youre magnificence And my pouerte, no wight kan ne may Maken comparisoun.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.112 : The kyng of Arabe..Salueth yow as he best kan and may.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6059 : And to her goddis..Þei don honour in what þei can or may.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1164 : Signe of lif, for aught he kan or may, Kan he non fynde.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)333/15 : Oþirwhile þou woldist do a þing, and þou maist not ne canst not.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)382/17 : Obediens haþ maad hym wel rulid & ordeyned oonli for to taaste me, þat can, may, & wil fulfille his desier.\n(1425) RParl.4.271a : I and my Maistres..aske of you..as instantly as we kan or mowe, with all manere of humblenesse, yat my said Lord of Warrewyk may pesibly use, rejoise and contynue, his said possession.\nc1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1625 : God thanke yow, there I ne can ne may.\n?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Possessioners (Corp-C 296)116 : Wise clerkis..myʒten, couden, and wolden teche þe peple.\n(1432) Let.Christ Ch.in Camd.n.s.1910 : Yf our fadyr the Abot and hys brethryn of Tynterne yn Yrland can or may among hem self fynde, [etc.].\na1450(a1401) Chastising GC (Bod 505)104/4 : For þei mowen not, ne kunne nat, suffre esili þe absence of oure lord.\na1450(c1405) Purvey Determ.(Trin-C B.14.50)170/2 : Aʒens hem þat seyn þat Hooli Wryt schulde not or may not be drawen into Engliche, we maken þes resouns.\na1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)4b : I knowe wel þat ʒe mowe and conneþ of ʒoure lowliche goodnesse better forʒiue defautis.\na1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)11/2 : In hym men owen to haue certeyn hope, þat may & wole alle goodis ʒyue.\nc1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)551 : I wolde..Amende hyt, yif I kan or may.\n(c1453) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35322 : As hertly as we canne or may, we recommende us unto you.\n(1454) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2.p.52 : That suche ffynes and fforfaitours as shall or may growe by any such estraunger..that hit goo to the vse of the Chambre.\n?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)31/67 : With all þe mekenesse þat I kan or may, This lombe xal I offre it up to the.\nc1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)148a/a : As longe as þe pacient blediþ, we schulen make him to be in al þe reste & tranquillite þat we kunnen ouþir mowen.\na1500(1465) Leversedge Vision (Add 34193)25 : My seyd soule coude ne myght se ne perseyue with syʒte ony ende of them.\na1500 St.Brendan Conf.(Lamb 541)6/21 : I haue not worschipid þee..as I myʒte, ouʒte, coude, or myʒte haue coud.\na1500 St.Brendan Conf.(Lamb 541)13/199 : I haue not worschipid my fadir and modir..as I ouʒte, coude, or myʒte.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1191 : What myghte or may the sely larke seye, Whan that the sperhauk hath it in his foot?\na1475 Ordin.Househ.Grossetest (Sln 1986)216 : Make ʒe ʒoure owne howseholde to sytte in the alle, as muche as ye mow or may.\nIn impersonal constructions: me mai dreden, it can frighten me, I am frightened; the mai speden, it can speed you, you will prosper; if me mouen, if I am able; what him mighte ben, what was wrong with him; what mai the ben, what ails you?; er hem mighte iworthen, before it occurred to them, before they could decide; him mighte haven lumpen werse, worse things could have happened to him; etc.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)98/8 : He hæfde soðne lichame, þa him hingriæn mihte.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)134/18 : Sceamien þe mæʒ þæt ðin hus habbe ylces godes, & þe ane yfel.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25333 : Ofte heo heolden rune ær heom mihte iwurðen waht heo don wolde.\na1200 PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)207 : Here senne and ec ure oʒen us muʒe [vrr. mei, mai] sore ofþunche.\na1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)52 : He williet þe to wiue; wel it may þe like.\na1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)105 : Lef on me ant be my wif; ful wel þe mai [vr. þou schalt] spede.\na1275 Þene latemeste dai (Trin-C B.14.39)70 : Wenne ic þenche þe opon, euer me may agrisen.\na1300 Leuedi sainte (Add 27909)44 : Hwan ich hier-of rekeni schal, wel sore me mei drede.\nc1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)57/972 : Rymenhild hit miʒte [vr. Myʒt] ofþinke.\nc1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)43 : Floriz..what mai þe beo, Þus murninge as ihc þe seo?\nc1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1725 : He askeþ..wyderward he was boun. 'Sir,' saiþ naymes, 'to Egremoygne þys day if me mown.'\nc1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)59/1080 : On of his breþeren asked him þo What him mihte beo, to loke so.\nc1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1320 : Hade he let of hem lyʒt, hym moʒt haf lumpen worse.\nUses of the infinitive [quots. very rare before 1300]: (a) mouen, to be able (to do or be or undergo sth.); -- also refl.; nought to mai willen haven, be able to wish to have nothing; (b) shulen (shal, shalt, sholde) ~, shall (should, etc.) be able (to do, be, or undergo sth.); (c) with implied inf.: i shal not ~ to it, I shall not be able to attain to it; (d) shal (shalt, sholde) ~, shall be permitted (to do, be, or have sth.).\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 23.26 : Dauyd despeirede hymselue to mown ascapen [L se posse evadere] fro þe face of Saul.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1594 : For who is that ne wolde hire glorifie, To mowen swich a knyght don lyve or dye?\n?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.2.273 : But for to mowen don yvel..ne mai nat ben referrid to good.\n(1434) Misyn ML (Corp-O 236)128/8 : No-þing to hafe is sum-tyme of need, bot noʒt to may will haue is of grete vertew [Rolle Mend.L.: but nothyng to desire is grete vertu].\n(1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)15/14 : Lat it not meue þe þat I haue sayd god parfytely to knaw, & I haue denyed hym to may be knawen [L et negaui te Deum posse scire].\n(c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)322 : Wheþer it be vpon synnys afore doon, denouncyng hem..to be forʒouen or not to be forʒouun or in which wise to mowe be forʒouen.\n(c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)147 : Thilk proces rather confermeth ymagis to mowe lawfulli be.\nc1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.99 : A rude beest his nature vseþ þus, To mowe not knowe hymself kyndely.\nc1460 Oseney Reg.150/3 : Þe same procuratour afore vs knowlegid hym-selfe noþyng to knowe or to mowe of ryʒght to þe saide priueleges to Obiecte.\n(1464) Let.Ormond in Fortescue Works24 : And Thomas Scales hathe sente me worde that he hopithe to mowe gete, by the meanes of my lord Senyschalle, a sauf conducte for you.\n(a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)121 : For it is no poiar to mowe aliene and put away; but it is power to mowe haue and kepe to hym self.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5286 : & tanne shallt tu muʒhenn sen.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)7301 : Næfr an off hemm Ne shall þær muʒhenn mælenn Ʒæn Crist.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)11445 : He shall muʒhenn ʒemenn himm.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1818 : Hu sal ani man ðe mugen deren?\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2090 : And fugeles sulen ði fleis to-teren, Ðat sal non agte mugen ðe weren.\nc1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)17.42 : Y shal breken hem, and hij shul nouʒt mow stonde [L nec poterunt stare].\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.22.18 : Y shal not mowe chaunge [L non potero immutare] þe word of my god.\n(c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Apoc.6.17 : The greet day of her wrath cometh, and who shal mowe stonde?\n(a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.373 : Þe kyng schulde nouʒt mowe helpe and defende hymself.\nc1390 Hilton ML (Vrn)285 : He schal mowe breke his hede..a soule schulde mow fele gret cumfort.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2656 : In muchel suffrynge shul manye thynges falle vn to thee, whiche thow shalt nat mowe suffre.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.38 : Thou schalt mowe senden hire a lettre And per cas wryte more plein Than thou be Mowthe durstest sein.\na1400 Pep.Gosp.(Pep 2498)65/2 : Hij schulden mowʒe done al þat hij wolden done.\n?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)21/30 : Þat noon schullen mowen entre in to þe chirche to do dewe seruyce to her God.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1134 : And seye hym eke he schal þe tyme se Þat he par-avnter schal mowe þanked be.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.4016 : Oure schippis..schal nat mow sustene Þe habundaunce.\n(1420) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.3.170 : Ʒyf sekenesse excuse hym, ʒe schall mowe resonably seye how that he dooth nowgt hys devoure.\na1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)68/18 : Þe newe sterynges of synne þat ben to comen scholen bot ryʒt lityl mowe dere þee.\na1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2166 : The craft of love he shall mowe lere, If that he wol so long abide, Tyl I this Romance may unhide.\n?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)69b/b : What tyme þat a womman sittes wiþ her thies o brode, þe eire schulde mowe enter inne and alterate þe matrice.\n?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)109/6 : If he be..fulle, he schall mowe open louyngly þe vayne.\nc1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)79 : We schul mowe see that..he didde grete thynges.\n(1432) Paston2.35 : Till that he shal mowe have speche with my Lordes of Bedford or of Gloucestre.\n(1436) RParl.4.499a : Hit shulde not mowe suffise unto the full contente and yerly paiement of the wages of Werre for the said Soudeours.\nc1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)84/1 : Þou schalt not mowe vaunte þe þat þou hast seen me nakid.\n(1445) Claudian CS (Add 11814)263/52 : That fals murmour nevir hurte sholde mown his seruaunt.\n1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)7661 : Ner hem [magic garlands] shal noon moun se But þo aloonly whom chastyte Is prouyd to han plesyd.\n(c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)69 : No man schal mowe putte it doun.\na1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)25 : It schal mowe laste esily and contynuely.\na1450(a1401) Chastising GC (Bod 505)161/11 : He shal do sum profite wiþ þat temptacion þat ʒe shuln mowe suffre.\na1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)509 : Schal neuere man in werld moun wende But he haue help of me.\nc1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)341/23 : Þe sauer þer-of, þoghe hit be neuer so grete, schalle not movene be felte.\n(1461) Paston3.310 : She seth that he shall not mown comyn to you.\n(1472) Grant Arms in Antiq.49289 : They shal mowe with goddis grace to atteigne unto honoure and worship.\n?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.16.10b : Vnneþis schalt þou mouʒen suffren þi self for mikelhede of synne.\na1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)70/16 : He shal mowe þe bettre haunte the toþer, wherein is his moste delite.\na1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)12/29 : We shulde mowe do all þinges aftirwarde wiþ esynes and gladnes.\na1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)12056 : For he shal be to hem so grym Þei shal not mowe loke on hym.\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ps.138.6 : Merueilous is maad þi kunnyng of me..& I shal not mown to it [L et non potero ad eam].\nc1460 Oseney Reg.43/25 : What-soeuer thyng þerof to me or to oony of myne by lawe maye falle or shall mowe foreuer.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)3944 : Þatt mannkinn shollde muʒhenn wel Upp cumenn inntill heoffne.\n(1444) RParl.5.105a : The saide Marchantz, aboute the Fest of thannunciation of oure Lady yerely, shuld mowe chese of thaym self a Maire.\na1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)177/10 : Þat þe foreseyde Iohn noþer hys heyrys..sholde mowe to aske or chalange ony thynge of ryht.\nParticipial uses [rare before 1400, first appearing in transl. from Latin]: (a) mouinge, being able (to do sth.); (b) might (moue, moued, etc.), been able (to do sth.), have been able (to do sth.); not lik might to ben boren, not likely to have been able to be borne; sholde might, should have been able (to do sth.); (c) to ben might don, ?to be permitted to be done, be permissible.\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.7.11 : A womman aʒeyn cam to hym..a chaterere..mowynge [vr. mowende; L valens] in þe hous abijden stille with hir feet.\nc1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)271 : Petre..nouʒt mowynge reste..toke his waie allone toward the sepulcre.\nc1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)1/11 : Þei, not mowing to so take for lengþe of þese maters þerynne treting, myʒt þerbi..be peyned.\na1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.88 : He for vs wold dye..Cledde in mans flesshe..Noght mowing dye in realle clothis of his deitee.\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Par.20.24 : He sawʒ afer al þe regioun abrod ful of careynes, ne to ben ouer laft any man þe whiche hadde mowʒt to scapen [L qui necem potuisset evadere] þe deth.\n(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Wisd.11.20 : Putting out grisful sparkes fro eʒen, of whiche not onely þe hurtinge hadde mowʒt destroʒed þem, but & þe looking bi drede slen.\n(1425) RParl.4.276b : Ye Kyng of the Scottys asseured yaym..yt yei shold be entrechanged for oyer..withynne a yer next after yt, ye which promesse he ne hath mowe kepe unto hem.\n?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)12/2 : Þou schalt sett þat on ouer þe hier figures hed, of the quych þou woldist y-draw oute þe neyþer figure yf þou haddyst y-myʒt.\n(1440) Wars France in RS 22.2454 : The grevous and importable labour of the charge of the werre..was not lyke mowed to be borne.\na1450(?a1390) Mirk Fest.Suppl.(Cld A.2)300/29 : He wolde haue kropon into þe erthe and he hadde mythe.\n(c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)15/16 : He schal liʒtli lifte vp oþire heftis, whiche ellis he schulde not haue mowe vp lift.\na1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)4134 : For he þoʒte, yeffe he had mon, To haue take a swerde.\nc1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)1951 : I wold haue be thens yef I had mowte.\nc1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)49/26 : Resoun..wel allowiþ and deemeþ þis vttirly forbering to be mowe do.\nIn selected phrases and idioms: (a) be as ben mai, be as hit (ben) mai, be that as it may, setting that aside, no matter; in any case, at any rate; happen as hit mighte, whichever I might chance upon; happe what happen mai, whatever happens, come what may; hou so mighte ben, however it may be; (b) hou mai hit (that, this) ben, how can it (that, this) be?, how is it, etc., possible?; hou mighte hit (that) ben, how could it (that) be?; hou that mai ben, how that is possible; hou hit mighte ben, how it could be; hou mai tiden this, how can this happen?; hou mouen thos thing iworthen, how are those things possible?; (c) hit mai non other ben, hit mai ben no(n other, hit non other ben ne mighte, it can (could) not be otherwise; hit mai (mighte) nought ben, hit mai not ben, mighte hit nought ben, it can (could) not be or happen, it is (was) impossible; if hit mai ben, if (that) hit mighte ben, if it were possible, if possible; in al haste that mighte ben, in all possible haste; mai (mighte) not ben, is (was) impossible; mighte never ben, could never be; (d) so mai ben that, it may be that (sth. is so), it is possible that, perhaps; hit) mai wel ben, it may well be, perhaps; hit) mai fallen, mai ben (happen, tiden), perhaps; as hit mai ben her, as perhaps here; (e) mai wel, wel mai, can easily (do sth.), can readily;--also with implied inf.; mighte wel, could easily (do sth.); wel ne mai, cannot readily (do sth.); (f) hit (that) mighte wel ben so, it (that) could well be true, it (that) was very likely true; hit mighte wel til frame turnen, it would probably be beneficial; so hit mighte wel ben, as it ought to be, as was fitting; ther mighte wel ben, there could well have been, there were probably; this mai ben, this assuredly is; thou might me wel ileven, ye mouen wel leven, you can readily believe (me, believe me.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)32239 : Þa ʒet ne com þæs ilke dæi; beo heonne uorð alse hit mæi; iwurðe þet iwurðe.\n?c1350 Ballad Sc.Wars (Jul A.5)218 : Wel galli [read: glalli] wald ii understande To telle þeem, hou so moxist be, Welke of þeem sald weld þe lande.\n(c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3319 : Be as be may, I wol hire noght accusen.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3783 : 'Therof,' quod Absolon, 'be as be may; I shal wel telle it thee tomorwe day.'\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.1012 : I may nat tellen euery circumstaunce; Be as be may, ther was he atte leste.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.935 : I am right siker that the pot was crased. Be as be may, be ye no thyng amased..Plukke vp youre hertes.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1238 : For manhod bit make no delaye To venge a wrong, hap what hap may.\nc1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4405 : Who haþ good fantasie To sette vp-on and putte in Iupartie What þat be-falle, hap what hap may, Takyng what chaunce wil turnen on his play..Þei feile selde of þe palme of glorie.\n?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)19978 : Þe gret cite of þe ta side Þat out wald com, if chance moʒ tide, On þe toþer half cheldrik.\nc1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1145 : But, as of that scripture, Be as be may, I take of it no cure.\nc1430 Chaucer TC (Cmb Gg.4.27)4.638 : Pandare answerde, 'Of þat, be as be may [vr. be As it may], But tel me þan hast þow hire wel a-sayed?'\nc1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)5 : I went to the wodde..a schotte me to gete At ane hert or ane hynde, happen as it myghte.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)73/30 : 'As for that,' seyde Merlion, 'be as hit be may.'\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)294/20 : Thereof be as be may.\nc1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)2/20 : Hu maʒon þas ðing iwurðan?\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2445 : Nat I nohht hu þatt maʒʒ ben Þatt I maʒʒ ben wiþþ childe.\na1275 Nu þis fules (Trin-C B.14.39)15 : He saide to þen angle, 'þu [read: hu] may tiden þis?'\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)296 : He mait ben, Adam ben king and eue quuen?\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)18964 : Hu..mai it [Göt: ma þis] be, þat vr langage spek þai þus?\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.667 : How myght it be, That she so lightly loved Troilus?\n?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.7.6 : 'And how may that be?' quod I.\n?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)104/205 : And if she Aske þe how it myth be, telle here I, þe holy gost, xal werke al this.\na1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)462 : Hou miʒt þat be for any thyng?\nc1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)102 : The emperour..sayde, 'How may þys be?'\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2425 : Ʒho, ʒiff þatt itt mihhte ben, Nohht naffde inn hire wille To cnawenn aniʒ macchess stren.\na1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)3/28 : Ofte hie me haueð idon slæpen ðar ic scolde wakien on godes seruise be daiʒe and be nihte. Swilch hit non oðer bien ne mihte.\na1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1029 : Ghe glente and ðhogte migte it nogt ben.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)973 : Be þou sur, seþ it may be no oþer, holliche al min help þou schalt haue.\na1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2506 : Þis best has mannes kynde -- it may be non oþer.\n(c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1085 : Take al in pacience Oure prisoun, for it may noon oother be.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4103 : We alle desiren, if it myghte be, To han housbondes hardy, wise and fre.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.1640 : Bot thei him tolde it mai noght be.\na1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)349 : Ʒyf hyt mow be, Y prey þat þys deþ mow go fro me.\nc1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)324 : For folye al it helde þe quene, And seide soþe it miʒth nouʒth bene.\na1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3304 : Forto gete grace For this lady..They wold assay ʒif it myghte be.\na1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1290 : Considered al thing, it may nat be..and it were ek to soone To graunten hym so gret a libertee.\na1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)572 : Fouler carion moght never be Þan he suld þan of þam se.\nc1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)5 : It may not be that thou ne be bihated..of my fader.\n(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)196/2 : In all haste that myght be, they shypped their horsis and harneyse.\na1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)363 : Propagacion in metallis may not be, But in oure stone moch like þing ye may se.\na1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)964 : 'Alas, dalton,' then seide the kynge, 'It was fowle done to spille suche a thinge.' He wolde haue dalton to make it agayne. Dalton seid it myght not be, certeyne.\n(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.174 : Ther is manye of yow Faitours, and so may be that thow Art riht such on.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1226 : Ye wol..take youre auenture of the repair That shal be to youre hous by cause of me, Or in som oother place may wel be.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.957 : It may wel be he looked on hir face In swich a wise as man that asketh grace.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.756 : What sholde I tellen ech proporcioun..As on fyue or sixe ounces may wel be Of siluer or som oother quantitee?\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2759 : If þou þar findes..Fifty or fourte o þi lele men -- Tuenti mai falle, or tuis fiue -- Ne sal þai alle haue þar for liue?\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6231 : Þou has vs ledd, mai fall [Trin-C: hit may falle], In wildernes to sla us all.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)14498 : All men o rome sal cum, mai fall, Tak vr folk and sted wit-all.\na1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17553 : Mai fall [Trin-C: May be] sum gast awai him ledd.\na1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)3159 : Þou mun be ful fayn, may fall, On knese for to serue þam all.\na1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)17/8 : For ʒif euer schalt þou fele him or see him -- as it may be here -- it behoueþ alweis be in þis cloude & in þis derknes.\n(1444) Paston2.66 : Therfore, may happe, it shall be makid newe at London.\na1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)54/81 : May tyde he will oure giftis take, And right so shall his wrath slake.\n?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)17/14 : Þis [ys] þa tylung to þan manne þe wel ʒefnesan ne mæʒe.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)9323 : Þa muʒhe ʒe wiþþ clene lif Wel hellpenn ʒure sawless.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)23746 : Nu me uulsten þer to þe alle þing mai wel don, þe heʒe heueneliche king.\nc1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)42/8 : Wite ich wel mi tunge, ich mei wel halden þe wei toward heouene.\na1275 On hire is al (Trin-C B.14.39)40 : Þu do us merci..ful wel þu mit.\na1275 On leome (Trin-C B.14.39)101 : Biseich þine sone, asse he uel may, þat he us alle þeme [read: yeme].\nc1275 Ken.Serm.(LdMisc 471)215/33 : Ye muee wel understonde be þo speche of þe godspelle þet me sal to dai mor makie offrinke.\nc1275 Ken.Serm.(LdMisc 471)218/137 : Þu me micht wel makie hool.\na1300 On hire is al (Roy 2.F.8)30 : By-sy to m[e], leuedy brytd..so w[el] þov mytd.\n(c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1280 : Ye may wel knowe by the name That of a somnour may no good be sayd.\nc1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)3.236 : I may [vr. maw] it wel auowe.\n?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)25/33 : He had sworn þat he scholde putte the ryuere in such poynt þat a womman myghte wel passe þere with outen castynge of of hire clothes.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)35/14 : If þou take good heede, þou mayst wel se þat mekenes is preuyd in pryde.\n?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)93/27 : Wherfore þou maist wel conceyue þat with þe boond of þe same loue whereynne þei eenden her liif, in þe same þei dwelle and abiden.\na1450(a1401) Chastising GC (Bod 505)100/14 : Bi þese tokenes whiche I haue rehersed, we mowen wele fele and knowe þe presence and þe absence of oure lord.\nc1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)270 : This balade may ful wel ysongen be.\nc1475(a1449) Lydg.Rhyme WA (Hrl 2251)8 : Fuyre and water, to-gyder al brennyng, It may wele ryme, but it accordith nought.\na1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)1008 : And yf yowre knyght happyn soo To be scowmfetyd or be sloo, Os hyt wylle be may, He wyll put hym yn yowrewylle.\na1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1127 : Heom þuhte þat þær mihte wel ben abuton twenti oðer þritti horn blaweres.\nc1175 Orm.(Jun 1)ded.17 : Þu þohhtesst tatt itt mihhte wel Till mikell frame turrnenn.\nc1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2980 : Þis ich sucge þe to seoðe -- þu mith [Otho: miht] me wel ileue.\nc1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)89/1520 : Rymenhild he makede his quene, So hit miʒte [vr. Miyʒte] wel beon.\n?c1335 Þe grace of godde (Hrl 913)202 : His bodi sal þer be al so So fair and strang, ʒe mou wel leue, Iuil is euer fur him fro.\n(c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2115 : 'Now swich a rym the deuel I biteche; This may wel be rym dogerel,' quod he.\na1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)170 : 'Neuer dide we se yow in soche habite.' And he seide, 'That myght well be so.'\na1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)2038 : Some of þe aungels torned hem to And þoghten þat it myghte wel be so.\n?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)87a : To not moght: Nequire, non posse.\nNote: New sense 'as word'\nNote: The contracted form imugon, found under sense 2a.(a) from Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat., may be otherwise construed. See imouen v.