Ay (?), interj.

Ah! alas!

"Ay me! I fondly dream �xbf;Had ye been there.'"

Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.


Ay (?), adv.

Same as Aye.

 

© Webster 1913.


Aye, Ay (?), adv. [Perh. a modification of yea, or from the interjection of admiration or astonishment, OE. ei, ey, why, hey, ay, well, ah, ha. Cf. MHG. & G. ei, Dan. ej. Or perh. akin to aye ever.]

Yes; yea; -- a word expressing assent, or an affirmative answer to a question. It is much used in viva voce voting in legislative bodies, etc.

⇒ This word is written I in the early editions of Shakespeare and other old writers.

 

© Webster 1913.


Aye, Ay (?), adv. [Icel. ei, ey; akin to AS. a, awa, always, Goth. aiws an age, Icel. aefi, OHG, wa, L. aevum, Gr. an age, , , ever, always, G. je, Skr. va course. ,. Cf. Age, v., Either, a., Or, conj.]

Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time.

For his mercies aye endure. Milton.

For aye, always; forever; eternally.

 

© Webster 1913.