Nay

adv. [A-S. nā, ne, O. Fries. nā, O. Sax. nē, Goth. nē, Icel. & Dan. nei, Sw. nej, O. H. Ger. ni, O. Fr. naie. See No.]

1Sense 1. No; a negative answer to a question asked, or a request made;—now superseded by no. See YES.

I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke xiii. 3.

He that will not when he may, When he would he shall have nay. Old Prov.

2Sense 2. Not this merely, but also; not only so;—used by way of amplification.

And now do they thrust us out privily? nay, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. Acts xvi. 37.