Ay

(äĭ), adv. [Perhaps a modification of the Eng. yea, A-S. gea, ja, Dan. ja, Sw. ja, jo, Ger. ja, Goth. ja, jai; but more prob. it is the Ger. interj. used principally as expressive of admiration, astonishment, ei, ey, why, hey, ay, well, ah, ha, M. H. Ger. ei, eia, Dan. ej, L. Ger. ih.] Yes; yea;—a word expressing assent, or an affirmative answer to a question.

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

(äĭ), n. An affirmative vote; one who votes in the affirmative; as, “To call for the ayes and noes;” “The ayes have it.”

(ā), adv. [A-S. a, aa, awa, always, Goth. airs, Icel. aefi, O. H. Ger. ewa, Lat. ævum, Gr. αἰών, a lifetime, eternity, Gr. αἰεί, ἀεί, ever, always.] Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time.

For his mercies aye endure. Milton.

For aye, always; forever; eternally.