nay

adverb3

1. •
   (no longer used) Or rather, or should I say; moreover (introducing a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one).

   • His face was dirty, nay, filthy.
2. •
   (dialect, no longer used) No.

   • Duke Magnus, Duke Magnus, plight thee to me, I pray you still so freely; Say me not nay, but yes, yes! — 1828
3. •
   (dialect, no longer used) Introducing a statement, without direct negation.

   • Nay, what are you smiling at so damnably? — 1876

noun3

1. •
   A vote against.

   • I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular.
2. •
   A person who voted against.

   • The vote is 4 in favor and 20 opposed; the nays have it.
3. •
   (no longer used) A denial; a refusal.

   • And my povert' no wight nor can nor may Make comparison, it is no nay. — 1870

adjective1

1. •
   (no longer used) Nary; not any

   • '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.

exclamation1

1. •
   (no longer used) No.

verb1

1. •
   (no longer used) To refuse.

   • the cardinall then being bishop of Winchester, tooke vpon him the state of cardinall, which was naied and denaied him, by the king of most noble memorie — 1577

noun1

1. •
   Abbreviation of Nayarit: a state of Mexico.