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 /

sentence substitute

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

This urban walker’s paradise also gets extra points because of its location — right at the base of Griffith Park — making it a gateway, nay a biped’s launchpad, into one of the largest urban parks in North America.

From Los Angeles Times

Since then, though, China has tried to rein in the insurgents, to prevent an outright collapse of the military regime in Nay Pyi Daw.

From BBC

Such versatility on the part of the staff can also be seen in teacher Osama Jahjouh’s fashioning of a nay - or traditional flute - out of a plastic pipe, because the Conservatory nays have been lost.

From BBC

Altogether, the Gaza branch of the Conservatory used to have more than 400 instruments - both Western classical ones and traditional Arabic instruments such as the oud, qanun and nay, a type of flute.

From BBC

The legislature voluntarily, nay, eagerly, abdicated its responsibility when it could have used skepticism and restraint.

From Salon