mayhap, adv. Now arch., rhetorical and dial.
(meɪˈhæp, ˈmeɪhæp)
Also 8 mehap, 8–9 mayhaps.
[The phrase (it) may hap (see hap v.), taken as one word.]
Perhaps, perchance.
| a 1536 Interl. Beauty & Gd. Prop. Women A v, May hap ye stomble Quod he on the trewth, as many one doth. 1575 Gamm. Gurton v. ii. (Manly), There is a thing you know not on, may hap. 1706 S. Centlivre Basset-Table iv, Sir Richard, mehap a woman may not like me. 1718 Motteux Quix. (1733) III. 67 I'll trust no longer to Rewards, that mayhaps may come late, and mayhaps not at all. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge lxxii, Mayhap she's hungry. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. iii. 37 Or hast thou mayhap wandered wide? 1900 Hope in Yorks. Arch. Jrnl. XV. 300 Pins or hooks, mayhap for hanging curtains from. |