aye

[ ahy ]

adverb

1. yes.

noun

1. an affirmative vote or voter, especially in British Parliament, corresponding to yea in U.S. Congress.

aye

¹

/ əɪ /

adverb

1. always; still

aye

²

/ aɪ /

sentence substitute

1. yes: archaic or dialectal except in voting by voice
2. aye aye
   aye aye
   1. an expression of compliance, esp used by seamen
   2. an expression of amused surprise, esp at encountering something that confirms one's suspicions, expectations, etc

noun

1. 1. a person who votes in the affirmative
   2. an affirmative vote

Word History and Origins

Origin of aye¹

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier spelling I, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of aye¹

Old Norse ei ever; Old English ā; compare Latin aevum an age, Greek aion aeon, aiei ever, always

Origin of aye²

C16: probably from pronoun I, expressing assent

Example Sentences

A reconstruction of the inside of an aye-aye’s head based on CT scans shows that this spindly digit probably pokes all the way through the animal’s nasal passages to reach its throat, researchers report online October 26 in the Journal of Zoology.

From Science News

I will express my aye vote, but I think my fellow commissioners understand the next steps for us on this matter.

From Voice of San Diego

Think of the aye-aye, a lemur that evolved an elongated middle finger to probe deep into holes for grubs.

From MIT Technology Review

Remarkably, fossils suggest the strange aye-aye crossed to Madagascar separately from the other lemurs.

From Singularity Hub 

“Aye,” his father said—the last thing he would ever say to him.

From The Daily Beast

Four Senate Republicans did vote aye on Lilly Ledbetter back in 2009.

From The Daily Beast

“Aye ready;” and arm-in-arm we raced into the dining-room, scandalizing the servants.

From The Daily Beast

The vote in the Senate was 81-18, with 27 Republicans voting aye and 18 nay.

From The Daily Beast

Boehner and Paul Ryan voted aye, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy no.

From The Daily Beast

Sur le confluant des deux rivieres, y avoit la plus belle assemble des Sauvages que j'aye point encore veue.

From Project Gutenberg

If you cannot bear the cigar in your mouth—aye, and enjoy it—you have no business with it: go back to your brown paper and cane!

From Project Gutenberg

My own individuality is entirely in the background; aye, I am not conscious of any personality in matters pertaining to the Cause.

From Project Gutenberg

There is great perseverance, aye, moral courage of no mean order, in his survival in the movement.

From Project Gutenberg

Aye,’ ses he, ‘and it makes the monied vulgarian think he is as good as those who only tolerate him.

From Project Gutenberg