nay Meaning & Definition
What Does Nay Mean?
As a symbol, nay means ISO 639-3 language code for Ngarrindjeri. As an adverb, it means No. As an interjection, it means No.
Quick Facts About Nay
| Part of speech | symbol, adverb, interjection, noun, verb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //neɪ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Antonyms | yea |
| Plural | nays |
| Verb forms | nays, naying, nayed |
Nay Definition (Symbol)
- ISO 639-3 language code for Ngarrindjeri.
Nay as an Adverb
- No.
- Introducing a statement, without direct negation.
- Or rather, or should I say; moreover (introducing a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one).
His face was dirty, nay, filthy.
Nay as an Interjection
- No.
Nay as a Noun
- 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.
- A denial; a refusal.
Nay as a Verb
- To refuse.
Nay as an Adjective
- Nary; not any
'Tis easy to do this experiment, though nay substance will do: we shall need a special one.
Noun
- A denial; a refusal. https//books.google.com/books?id=uysQzJy9IwMC&pg=PA818&dq=%22word+nay+a+denial+refusal%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwij_5CHi-3cAhWJ2FMKHWjCDdMQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=%22word%20nay%20a%20denial%20refusal%22&f=false
Adjective
- Nary.
Synonyms of Nay
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Nay synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Nay
Nay in a Sentence
His face was dirty, nay, filthy.
I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular.
The vote is 4 in favor and 20 opposed; the nays have it.
'Tis easy to do this experiment, though nay substance will do: we shall need a special one.
Nay man could have come out of such a situation unscathed.
Word Forms & Grammar
nay (not comparable)
nay
nay (plural nays)
nay (third-person singular simple present nays, present participle naying, simple past and past participle nayed)
Words That Rhyme With Nay
Origin of Nay
Origin 1: From Middle English nai, nei, from Old Norse nei (“no”), contraction of ne (“not”) + ei (“ever”), itself from Proto-Germanic *nai (“never”), *nē (“not”). More at no.
Origin 2: The verb is from Middle English nayen (“to refuse, deny, gainsay”), from the interjection and adverb above.
Nay Pronunciation
Nay is pronounced //neɪ// and has 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nay
Is nay a symbol or an adverb?
Nay is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as an adverb, an interjection, a noun, a verb and an adjective.
What is the opposite of nay?
The opposite of nay is yea.
What is the plural of nay?
The plural of nay is nays.
What is the past tense of nay?
The past tense of nay is nayed. The present participle is naying.