mayst: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (archaic/obsolete)Archaic, poetic, liturgical, historical, literary. Not used in modern communication except for deliberate stylistic effect.
Quick answer
What does “mayst” mean?
An archaic second person singular present form of the modal verb 'may', expressing permission or possibility, addressing one person in a formal, poetic, or historical context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaic second person singular present form of the modal verb 'may', expressing permission or possibility, addressing one person in a formal, poetic, or historical context.
Used in Early Modern English and poetic/religious language to convey permission, possibility, or a wish, specifically when addressing 'thou' (you, singular). It signifies a now-obsolete verb conjugation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference. Both varieties treat it identically as an archaic form. It may appear slightly more often in British contexts due to the preservation of older liturgical texts (e.g., the Book of Common Prayer).
Connotations
Evokes Shakespeare, the King James Bible, or romantic poetry. Can sound solemn, pompous, or deliberately old-fashioned.
Frequency
Effectively zero in modern spoken or written English outside specific quoted or stylistic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mayst” in a Sentence
THOU + MAYST + bare infinitive (e.g., thou mayst go)MAYST + THOU + bare infinitive (inversions, e.g., mayst thou live)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mayst” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'Thou mayst depart when the bell tolls,' declared the lord.
American English
- 'If thou mayst forgive me, I would be grateful,' he wrote in the old-style letter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literature studies when quoting sources.
Everyday
Never used. Would be confusing or perceived as a joke.
Technical
Only in the context of describing archaic English grammar.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mayst”
- Using 'mayst' in modern sentences.
- Using it with 'you' (should be 'thou').
- Confusing it with 'might'.
- Pronouncing the 'st' as a separate syllable (/meɪ.ɪst/ is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is obsolete. Using it will sound strange or theatrical.
They are variant spellings of the same archaic form. 'Mayst' is more common in later Early Modern English.
It was used from roughly the 14th to the 17th centuries. Characters in Shakespeare, the King James Bible, or historical fiction might use it.
The modern equivalent is simply 'may', used with 'you' (singular or plural). 'You may go' replaces 'Thou mayst go'.
An archaic second person singular present form of the modal verb 'may', expressing permission or possibility, addressing one person in a formal, poetic, or historical context.
Mayst is usually archaic, poetic, liturgical, historical, literary. not used in modern communication except for deliberate stylistic effect. in register.
Mayst: in British English it is pronounced /meɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /meɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mayst thou rest in peace (archaic blessing)”
- “as thou mayst think (archaic phrasing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Mayst' is 'may' for the past, used with 'thou' which is also in the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERMISSION/POSSIBILITY IS A GRANT FROM A HIGHER AUTHORITY (fitting its archaic, often reverential use).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'mayst' be MOST appropriate today?