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definitions

ay

1
[ ey ]
/ eɪ /
|

adverb Archaic.

ever; always.

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Nearby words

  1. axoplasm,
  2. axoplasmic transport,
  3. axosomatic,
  4. axseed,
  5. axum,
  6. ayacucho,
  7. ayah,
  8. ayahuasca,
  9. ayala, pedro lópez de,
  10. ayana
Also aye.

Origin of ay

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

Definition for ay (2 of 3)

ay

2
[ ey ]
/ eɪ /

interjection Archaic.

(used to express regret or sorrow.)

Origin of ay

2
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Definition for ay (3 of 3)

ay

3
[ ahy ]
/ aɪ /

adverb, noun

aye1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ay

British Dictionary definitions for ay (1 of 3)

ay

1
/ (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)

ay

2

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)

ay

3
/ (aɪ) /

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

Word Origin and History for ay

ay

see aye.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper