ay

¹

[ ey ]

adverb

, Archaic.

1. ever; always.

ay

²

[ ey ]

interjection

, Archaic.

1. (used to express regret or sorrow.)

ay

¹

/ aɪ /

sentence substitute

1. See aye
   a variant spelling of aye 1

ay

²

/ eɪ /

adverb

1. archaic.
   ever; always

ay

³

/ eɪ /

interjection

1. archaic.
   an expression of misery or surprise

Word History and Origins

Origin of ay¹

1150–1200; Middle English ei, ai < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever

Origin of ay²

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of ay¹

C12 ai, from Old Norse ei; related to Old English ā always, Latin aevum an age, Greek aiōn

Origin of ay²

C14 ey: from an involuntary cry of surprise

Example Sentences

Go away-ay, send them away, We’re nurses with covid vaccine.

From Washington Post

Go away-ay, send them away, They shouldn’t be cutting the line.

From Washington Post

MARTA: With sacks of money and the anti-Communist tactics of your Senator Jzo-ay McCarthy.

From The Daily Beast

Mais ce n'est pas de merveille; car, comme j'ay dict, ils sont enfans.

From Project Gutenberg

On dit neantmoins que les Armouchiquois se craignirent de tels voysins, et cette cause firent mourir ce capitaine que j'ay dit.

From Project Gutenberg

Le jour suyvant, j'allay visiter les Sauvages, et y fis mon accoustum, ainsy qu j'ay dict de Kinibqui.

From Project Gutenberg

L dessus allegresse & rejoussance, 178 & actions de graces Dieu en procession sur la montagne que i'ay mentionn ci-dessus.

From Project Gutenberg

Ie ne veux rememorer ce que i'ay crit en mon Histoire de la Nouvelle-France, livre 4.

From Project Gutenberg