nay

adverb and interjection (nay — old or formal); noun (a nay, nays)

«nay» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(old-fashioned) Nay means «no». tree →
(formal) Nay is used to add a stronger word: «It was hard, nay, impossible», meaning «not only that, but even». tree →
(noun) A nay is a «no» vote, as in «the ayes and the nays». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and the Bible (old translations), characters say «nay» for «no»: «Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay.» In parliaments and meetings, votes are counted as yeas (or ayes) and nays. In formal writing, «nay» strengthens a point. Common phrases: «yea or nay», «the ayes and the nays», «nay, even», «say nay».

Examples

«Nay, my lord,» said the knight, «I will not go.» tree →
The vote was ten yeas and four nays. tree →
The task was difficult, nay, impossible. tree →
In the King James Bible: «Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay.» tree →
The senators shouted «nay!». tree →
Whether you say yea or nay, we must decide tonight. tree →
“Nay,” purred Bagheera, “that may not be. tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «nay» (no) sounds like «neigh» (the sound a horse makes). Say NAY. Opposite: «yea» or «aye» (yes). In everyday talk, use «no»; «nay» sounds old or jokey.

In Jewish tradition

Examples

And He said: 'Nay; but thou didst laugh.' (Torah GEN.18.15, JPS 1917) tree →
And they said unto him: 'Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. (Torah GEN.42.10, JPS 1917) tree →
And he said unto them: 'Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.' (Torah GEN.42.12, JPS 1917) tree →
Nay; but He would give heed unto me. (Writings JOB.23.6, JPS 1917) tree →
And the people said unto Joshua: 'Nay; but we will serve the LORD.' (Prophets JOS.24.21, JPS 1917) tree →
And they said unto her: 'Nay, but we will return with thee unto thy people.' (Writings RUT.1.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «nay» (no) sounds like «neigh» (the sound a horse makes). Say NAY. Opposite: «yea» or «aye» (yes). In everyday talk, use «no»; «nay» sounds old or jokey.

Early Modern English

Meaning

A word for "no", or a word that corrects what has just been said ("rather"). tree →

Then and now

Old-fashioned; today we say "no" and "not", and "nay" is only heard in old or formal speech.

Examples

And He said: 'Nay; but thou didst laugh.' (Torah GEN.18.15, JPS 1917) tree →
“Nay,” purred Bagheera, “that may not be. (The Jungle Book) tree →
And they said unto him: 'Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. (Torah GEN.42.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: no; rather.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «nay» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«nay» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «nay» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«nay» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «nay» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«nay» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.

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