May
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
To be permitted; to be at liberty; to have the power. Whenever a statute directs the doing of a thing for the sake of justice or the public good, the word may is the same as shall. For example, the 23 H. 6, says, the sheriff may take bail, that is construed he shail, for he is compellable to do so.
Carth. 293; Salk. 609; Skin. 370.
The words shall and may in general acts of the legislature or in private constitutions, are to be construed imperatively, 3 Atk. 166; but the construction of those words in a deed depends on circumstances.
3 Atk. 282. See 1 Vern. 152, case 142.