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ay

1
[ ey ]
/ eɪ /
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adverb Archaic.
ever; always.
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Which sentence is correct?
Also aye .

Origin of ay

1
1150–1200; Middle English ei, ai<Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever

Other definitions for ay (2 of 2)

ay2
[ ey ]
/ eɪ /

interjection Archaic.
(used to express regret or sorrow.)

Origin of ay

2
Middle 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
/ () /

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

/ () /

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)

ay3
/ () /

sentence substitute, noun
a variant spelling of aye 1
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
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