Nay is an adverb meaning 'no' or 'not,' used to express negation or disagreement. It is often found in formal, archaic, or courtroom language, as well as in poetry and song. In modern everyday speech, it’s chiefly encountered in phrases like 'nay, but...' or in rhetorical contexts to add emphasis or humor. The pronunciation is a short, single-syllable vowel sound, held briefly before a light, clipped release.
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