aye

aye · interjection

imported

Definitions

interjection

  1. 1.

    Yes; an affirmative response (formal, nautical, or dialectal).

  2. 2.

    (Nautical) Used to acknowledge an order.

  3. 3.

    (Scottish/Northern English dialect) Yes.

  4. 4.

    An affirmative vote or voter.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    aye, aye, sir — Naval acknowledgment of an order.
  • •
    the ayes have it — The motion has been approved by majority.
  • •
    aye or nay — Yes or no (in voting).

Related words

Antonyms: nay, no
See also: nay, vote, yea, yes
Synonyms: affirmative, yea, yes

Etymology

From Middle English ay, ai, possibly from Old Norse ei ("ever, always") or from the pronoun "I" as an emphatic affirmation. Related to "aye" meaning "always" (archaic).