ay

¹

[ ey ]

adverb

, Archaic.

1. ever; always.

ay

²

[ ey ]

interjection

, Archaic.

1. (used to express regret or sorrow.)

ay

¹

/ aɪ /

sentence substitute

1. a variant spelling of aye 1

ay

²

/ eɪ /

interjection

1. archaic.
   an expression of misery or surprise

ay

³

/ eɪ /

adverb

1. archaic.
   ever; always

Word History and Origins

Origin of ay¹

1150–1200; Middle English ei, ai < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever

Origin of ay²

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of ay¹

C14 ey: from an involuntary cry of surprise

Origin of ay²

C12 ai, from Old Norse ei; related to Old English ā always, Latin aevum an age, Greek aiōn