NAY
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
nay¹
- /neɪ/
Sounds like Neagh, neigh, nee (pane–pain merger) · Rhymes with -eɪ
Where it comes from
From Middle English nai, nei, from Old Norse nei (“no”), contraction of ne (“not”) + ei (“ever”), itself from Proto-Germanic *nai (“never”), *nē (“not”). More at no.
The verb is from Middle English nayen (“to refuse, deny, gainsay”), from the interjection and adverb above.
adverb
- No. Duke Magnus, Duke Magnus, plight thee to me, I pray you still so freely; Say me not nay, but yes, yes!
- Introducing a statement, without direct negation. Nay, what are you smiling at so damnably?
- Or rather, or should I say; moreover (introducing a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one). His face was dirty, nay, filthy.
interjection
- No.
noun nays
- A vote against. I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular.
- A person who voted against. The vote is 4 in favor and 20 opposed; the nays have it.
- A denial; a refusal. And my povert' no wight nor can nor may Make comparison, it is no nay.
verb nays · naying · nayed
- To refuse. the cardinall then being bishop of Winchester, tooke vpon him the state of cardinall, which was naied and denaied him, by the king of most noble memorie
adjective
- Nary; not any 'Tis easy to do this experiment, though nay substance will do: we shall need a special one.
NAY²
proper noun
- Abbreviation of Nayarit: a state of Mexico.Nayarit
Nay³
proper noun Nays
- A surname.
