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Meaning of nay in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Adverb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /neɪ/

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  1. Adverb

    nay

    Etymology

    Middle English (in nay (sense 2 of the adverb)): from Old Norse nei, from ne‘not’ + ei‘ever’ (compare with aye)

    Definitions

    1. not this merely but also

    Examples

    • « not only so but »
    • « each of us is peculiar, nay, in a sense unique »
  2. Noun

    nay

    Definitions

    1. a negative

    Examples

    • « the nays have it »

    Antonyms

    • yea

Famous quotes

  • « For all right judgment of any man or things it is useful, nay, essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing on his bad. »
    Thomas Carlyle
  • « Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared. »
    Jane Porter
  • « Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening. »
    Oliver Wendell Holmes
  • « After all, I long to be in America again, nay, if I can go home to return no more to Europe, it seems to me that I shall ever enjoy more peace of mind, and even Physical comfort than I can meet with in any portion of the world beside. »
    John James Audubon
  • « You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury, than by giving it for by spending it in luxury, you make them exert industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle. »
    Samuel Johnson

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