Middle English Dictionary Entry
nai adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | nai adv. |
| Etymology | From interj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Not, no, not at all; proven ~, to prove to be incorrect; (b) or (either) ~, or not.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)8.135 : Bote Catoun construweþ hit nay [vr. nouȝt], An Canonistres boþe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2408 : If thow hast myght to doon a thyng of which thow most repente, it is bettre nay than ye.
- (1397) RParl.3.379a : Whethir that we assentyd therto..I ne have now none full mynde therof, bot I trowe rather ȝe than nay.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)10441 : Ne wat þou noght, it semes nai [Ld: I trow nay], Quat a fest it es to dai?
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)44a/b : Non, aduerbium: nay.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)350 : Nay: Non.
- a1450(?1404) As þe see (Dgb 102)91 : Many can stomble at a stre..And graunte purpos nay and ȝee.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)116 : But nay [F nennil] of his song he ne rouhte.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)56 : Ȝe sayde þe corn xulde be sauyde..Ande he prouyth nay.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)84a : Nay: haud, minime, minimus, Ne, Nequaquam, non, nullatenus.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judg.20.23 : Schal I more gon forth to fiȝtyn aȝenst þe sones of Benjamyn my breþeren or nay [WB(2): ether nay; L an non]?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8432 : He sal be king, qua wil or nai.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13451 : I dar noght sai Quere þis was þat ilk or nai.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22167 : Þai sal be studiand in þair thoght Queþer þat he be crist or nai.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.24.21 : Sotheli he bihelde hir priueli, and wolde wite whether the Lord hadde sped his wei, ethir nay [WB(1): or noon].
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ex.17.7 : Thei temptiden the Lord, and seiden, Whether the Lord is in vs, ether nay?
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1909 : His hy prudence hath insighte verray To iuge if it be wel y-made or nay.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)2086 : Of som parties separable A taste may wel be covenable..to make a-say whether thei be wel wroght or nay.