nay

3 definitions • 4 examples

used to introduce a second and more extreme phrase in a sentence when the first phrase was not strong enough:

It is my pleasure, nay privilege, to introduce tonight's guest speaker.

Northern English for

Nay lass, don't cry.

especially in the UK parliament, a vote to show that someone does not support a suggestion, idea, suggested law, etc., or a person who votes "no":

The ayes and nays of the final vote are not recorded.

The two nays were men who had once worked for Colonel Barton.