May

(mā.) (Calendar.) The fifth month in the year, reckoning from January; and the third, beginning with March, as was the practice of the ancient Romans, . This month derives its name from Maia, the mother of Mercury, to whom sacrifice was offered on the first day of it. The month of May is, in the Roman Catholic Church, specially devoted to the Virgin, and is termed the Month of Mary. (Bot.) See CRATÆGUS. [s. 586]