nay

[ney]

adverb

1. and not only so but; not only that but also; indeed.

   many good, nay, noble qualities.

2. Archaic.,  no (used in dissent, denial, or refusal).

noun

1. a denial or refusal.

2. a negative vote or voter.

nay

/ neɪ /

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

noun

1. 1. a person who votes in the negative

   2. a negative vote

adverb

1. archaic,  (sentence modifier) an emphatic form of no 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of nay¹

1125–75; Middle English nai, nei < Old Norse nei no, contraction of ne not + ei ever; na, ay ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nay¹

C12: from Old Norse nei, from ne not + ei ever, _ay ¹

Example Sentences

"There was no coercion. It was more just me figuring out in that space, do I want to take this? I had every opportunity to say: 'Yay', 'nay', or 'yeah, I'll take it,'" he says.

Read more on BBC

But private air travel has survived—nay, soared—amid other cutbacks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Wilson nevertheless felt the sting of rejection, as well as the notion that he could be—nay, should be—producing more profound music than The Beach Boys’ fanciful image seemed to imply.

Read more on Salon

The fans are going wild, the naysayers are saying nay and the rest of us are left holding the bag.

Read more on Salon

It’s not easy, but it’s possible — nay, necessary.

Read more on Los Angeles Times