aye1
[ahy]
- yes.
- an affirmative vote or voter, especially in British Parliament, corresponding to yea in U.S. Congress.
Also ay.
Origin of aye1
First recorded in 1570–80; earlier spelling I, of uncertain origin
aye2
[ey]
- ay1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for aye
Contemporary Examples
“Aye,” his father said—the last thing he would ever say to him.
“Aye ready;” and arm-in-arm we raced into the dining-room, scandalizing the servants.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the ShowRobert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
But, as Ritchie recalled, he lifted an arm and pointed to one of his eyes, thus letting all know that he was voting “aye.”
Oh, aye,” Savile responded: “How do they know whether I am or not?
That Tut accomplished all this before his 12th birthday suggests Aye was the power behind the throne.
Historical Examples
Aye, but before I do so, let me read again the last of my Ballads.
Ballads of a BohemianRobert W. Service
Aye, lad, and the plain things are always the hardest things to do.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
"Aye, lads, it was that," said a deep voice from behind Alleyne's shoulder.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
"Aye, it is the steel head-piece of the watchman," remarked the archer.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
Aye, but it's that wee bit that makes all the difference, Mr. Cairnduff!
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
aye1
ay
- yes: archaic or dialectal except in voting by voice
- aye aye
- an expression of compliance, esp used by seamen
- Britishan expression of amused surprise, esp at encountering something that confirms one's suspicions, expectations, etc
- a person who votes in the affirmative
- an affirmative vote
Compare nay
Word Origin
C16: probably from pronoun I, expressing assent
aye2
- Scot always; still
Word Origin
Old Norse ei ever; Old English ā; compare Latin aevum an age, Greek aion aeon, aiei ever, always
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for aye
adv.
"always, ever," c.1200, from Old Norse ei "ever" (cognate with Old English a "always, ever"), from PIE *aiw- "vital force, life, long life, eternity" (cf. Greek aion "age, eternity," Latin aevum "space of time;" see eon).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper