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nay

[ ney ]
/ neɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR nay ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

and not only so but; not only that but also; indeed: many good, nay, noble qualities.
Archaic. no (used in dissent, denial, or refusal).

noun

a denial or refusal.
a negative vote or voter.

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Origin of nay

1125–75; Middle English nai, nei<Old Norse nei no, contraction of ne not + ei ever; see na, ay1

Words nearby nay

navy yard, nawab, Naxalite, Naxçivan, Naxos, nay, naya paisa, Nayarit, Nay Pyi Taw, naysay, naysayer
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to nay

denial, negative, against

Example sentences from the Web for nay

British Dictionary definitions for nay

nay
/ (neɪ) /

sentence substitute

mainly archaic, or dialect an archaic or dialect (except in voting by voice) word for no 1

noun

  1. a person who votes in the negative
  2. a negative vote

adverb

(sentence modifier) archaic an emphatic form of no 1
Compare aye 1

Word Origin for nay

C12: from Old Norse nei, from ne not + ei ever, ay 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