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ay
1[ ey ]
/ eɪ /
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adverb Archaic.
ever; always.
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Also aye .
Origin of ay
11150–1200; Middle English ei, ai<Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever
Words nearby ay
Other definitions for ay (2 of 2)
ay2
[ ey ]
/ eɪ /
interjection Archaic.
(used to express regret or sorrow.)
Origin of ay
2Middle English word dating back to 1300–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ay in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ay (1 of 3)
ay1
/ (eɪ) /
adverb
archaic, poetic ever; always
Word Origin for ay
C12 ai, from Old Norse ei; related to Old English ā always, Latin aevum an age, Greek aiōn
British Dictionary definitions for ay (2 of 3)
ay2
aye
/ (eɪ) /
interjection
archaic, poetic an expression of misery or surprise
Word Origin for ay
C14 ey: from an involuntary cry of surprise
British Dictionary definitions for ay (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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