gainsay
[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]
/ ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ /
verb (used with object), gain·said, gain·say·ing.
to deny, dispute, or contradict.
to speak or act against; oppose.
Nearby words
gaingiving, gainings, gainless, gainly, gains, gainsay, gainsborough, gainsborough, thomas, gainst, gaiseric, gait
Origin of gainsay
Related formsgain·say·er, nounun·gain·said, adjective
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for gainsay
British Dictionary definitions for gainsay
gainsay
/ (ɡeɪnˈseɪ) /
verb -says, -saying or -said
(tr) archaic, or literary to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict
Derived Formsgainsayer, noun
Word Origin for gainsay
C13 gainsaien, from gain- against + saien to say 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for gainsay
gainsay
"contradict," c.1300, literally "say against," from Old English gegn- "against" (see again) + say (v.). "Solitary survival of a once common prefix" [Weekley], which was used to form such now-obsolete compounds as gain-taking "taking back again," gainclap "a counterstroke," gainbuy "redeem," and gainstand "to oppose." Related: Gainsaid; gainsaying.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper