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aye

[ ahy ]
/ aɪ /
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adverb
yes.
noun
an affirmative vote or voter, especially in British Parliament, corresponding to yea in U.S. Congress.
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Also ay .

Origin of aye

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier spelling I, of uncertain origin

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH aye

aye , eye, I
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aye in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aye (1 of 2)

aye1

ay

/ () /

sentence substitute
yes: archaic or dialectal except in voting by voice
aye aye
  1. an expression of compliance, esp used by seamen
  2. British an expression of amused surprise, esp at encountering something that confirms one's suspicions, expectations, etc
noun
  1. a person who votes in the affirmative
  2. an affirmative vote
Compare nay

Word Origin for aye

C16: probably from pronoun I, expressing assent

British Dictionary definitions for aye (2 of 2)

aye2
/ (əɪ) /

adverb
Scot always; still

Word Origin for aye

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
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