MAY NOT Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "may not" is a negation that refers to the possibility of something not being permitted or allowed. It is a compound of the modal verb "may" and the negative adverb "not". "May" indicates possibility or permission, while "not" negates or denies that possibility.
When used to express permission, "may not" conveys that someone is not allowed to do a certain action or behave in a specific way. For instance, if a sign says, "Visitors may not enter without permission," it means that visitors are prohibited from entering unless they obtain approval beforehand.
In terms of possibilities, "may not" refers to the absence of an occurrence or likelihood. For instance, if someone says, "The package may not arrive tomorrow," it suggests that there is a chance or possibility that the package will not be delivered the following day.
In general, "may not" is a phrase that restricts or denies permission, or indicates the potential absence or non-occurrence of an action or event. It is often used in rules, regulations, warnings, or statements where the speaker wants to imply a particular limitation, restriction, or uncertainty.
Top Common Misspellings for MAY NOT *
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Other Common Misspellings for MAY NOT
Etymology of MAY NOT
The term "may not" is a contraction of the modal verb "may" and the adverb "not".
The word "may" originated from the Old English word "mæg" or "mæȝ", which meant "be able to" or "have power to". Over time, it evolved into "may" with similar meanings.
The adverb "not" can be traced back to Old English as well. Its origins are linked to the word "nā", meaning "no" or "not".
The combination of "may" and "not" (may + not = may not) has been used in English to express a negative possibility or permission since at least the Middle English period, around the 13th century. It is often used to indicate something that is not allowed or unlikely to happen.
Similar spelling words for MAY NOT
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