not

not · adverb

imported

Definitions

adverb

  1. 1.

    Used to form a negative with verbs; expressing negation, denial, or refusal.

  2. 2.

    Used to express the negative of other words.

  3. 3.

    Used to make a word or group of words negative.

  4. 4.

    Used in polite requests or suggestions.

Related words

See also: neither, never, no

Etymology

From Middle English not, nat, a contraction of nought, naught, from Old English nāwiht, nōwiht meaning "nothing," from ne (not) + āwiht (anything). The word gradually shortened from nought to not during the Middle English period.