Nay
Origin
From Middle English nai, nei, from Old Norse nei ("no"), contraction of ne ("not") + ei ("ever"). More at no.
Conjunction
- or even, or more like, or should I say. Introduces a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one.
- His face was dirty, nay filthy.
- 1663, Hudibras, by , part 1,... And proved not only horse, but cows,
Nay pigs, were of the elder house:
For beasts, when man was but a piece
Of earth himself, did th' earth possess. - 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 18.And even in our wildest and most wandering reveries, nay in our very dreams, we shall find, if we reflect, that the imagination ran not altogether at adventures,
Noun
nay
(plural nays)- A vote against.I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular.
- A person who voted against.The vote is 4 in favor and 20 opposed, the nays have it.
Verb
- (obsolete) To refuse.