What does "ay" mean?
Ay: Ah! alas! "Ay me! I fondly dream `Had ye been there.'" Milton.
Additional senses
- 2.Same as Aye.
- 3.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. Note: This word is written I in the early editions of Shakespeare and other old writers.
- 4.Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time. For his mercies aye endure. Milton. For aye, always; forever; eternally.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00