nill

[ nil ]

verb (used without object)

, nilled, nill·ing.

1. to be unwilling:

   will he, nill he.

verb (used with object)

, nilled, nill·ing.

1. to refuse or reject.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nill¹

before 900; Middle English nillen, Old English nyllan, contraction of phrase ne willan ; no ¹, will ¹, willy-nilly

Example Sentences

Sir, said Epinegris, is that the rule of you errant knights for to make a knight to joust, will he or nill?

From Project Gutenberg

Will you nill you, the men-at-arms will follow me to victory!

From Project Gutenberg

Count upward from the bottom of the second column, and the 46th word is “nill he,” so printed for concealment.

From Project Gutenberg

Will I, nill I, the ineffable thing has tied me to him; tows me with a cable I have no knife to cut.

From Project Gutenberg

The chances are his mind will fly off, will-he-nill-he, to some utterly different matter.

From Project Gutenberg