interj. (adv.), sb. Forms: 6–8 I, 7 ai, 7–9 ey, 7– aye, ay. [Appears suddenly about 1575, and is exceedingly common about 1600; origin unknown. The suggestion that it is the same as AY adv. ‘ever, always,’ seems set aside by the fact that it was at first always written I, a spelling never found with AY. But it may have been a dialect form of that word, from some dialect in which it had passed through the senses of always, in all cases, to by all means, certainly, yes (cf. aye but, in sense 2 b; and the history of ALGATE), and so have been taken in literary English for a different word. It is less easy to see in it a phonetic variant or dialect form of ya ‘yea, yes.’ Spelt both aye and ay: the former is in accordance with parliamentary usage, and better on every ground. Aye and eye (which many identify in pronunciation, and which differ at most only in the ‘broader’ or more back sound of aye, are analogous diphthongal words usefully distinguished by their final e from the regular pronunciation of -ay, -ey, in bay, day, gay, hay, etc., and bey, dey, grey, they, convey, etc.: see AY.]
A. int. (adv.?) 1. As an affirmative response to a question: Yes; even so. Common dialectally, and in nautical language; the formal word used in voting ‘yes’ in the House of Commons; but not used for ‘yes’ in modern educated speech or writing, except as an archaism.
1576. Tyde Taryeth no Man, in Collier’s E. E. Pop. Lit., 12. If you say I, syr, we will not say no.
1594. Drayton, Idea, 57. Nothing but No and I, and I and No.
1637. Heywood, Royall King, II. iv. Me my Lord? King. Ey you my Lord.
1684. Bunyan, Pilgr., II. 124. Ai, ai, so I mean.
1711. J. Greenwood, Eng. Gram., 159. I for Yes, is used in a hasty or merry Way, as I Sir, I Sir.
1743. Lond. & Country Brew., IV. 284. Hye, says the Victualler, I believe I shall never stand it.
1823. Byron, Island, II. xxi. ‘Ey, ey!’ quoth Ben, ‘not new, but news enow.’
1858. Longf., M. Standish, IV. 33. The shouts of the mate, and the sailors’ ‘Ay, ay, Sir!’
1878. Masque of Poets, 53. The mate sprang forward and cried ‘Aye, Aye!’
1882. Daily News, 22 Feb., 2/3. The SPEAKER—I must put the question to the House as it stands, and the House must say ‘Aye’ or ‘No.’
2. a. Indicating assent to a previous statement, and preliminary to a further or more forcible one.
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., I. i. I, so I do.
1670. R. Coke, Disc. Trade, 46. I, and the Law … Bars us of any future supply.
1714. Addison, Spect., No. 568, ¶ 1. Ay, Answer that if you can, Sir.
1821. Keats, Isabel, xxiv. To-day we purpose, ay, this hour we mount.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, III. iv. 104. Once, ay twice.
1865. R. W. Dale, Jew. Temp., xxi. (1877), 237. Aye, and we take the promises in their fullest and broadest meaning.
b. Aye, but.…. Indicating, provisional assent to a statement for the sake of rebutting it.
1589. Nashe, Almond for Parr, 4 a. I, I, my maisters, you may mocke … but I warrant you, [etc.].
1640. J. Dyke, Worthy Commun., 122. I; but you doe us wrong.
1662. Dryden, Wild Gallant, Wks. 1725, I. 94. He shall set thee forth I warrant thee. Burr. I, but where’s the Money for this?
1875. H. E. Manning, Mission H. Ghost, x. 282. Ay, but it was not only men who have so endured. We have known young girls … rise up with the courage of confessors.
B. as sb. An affirmative answer or vote; in pl. (elliptically) those who so vote.
1589. Marprel. Epit., B iij. Here then is the puritans I … and M. doctors no.
1669. Marvell, Corr., 127, Wks. 1875, II. 289. The ayes proved 138 and the noes 129.
1771. Junius Lett., xliv. 238. A simple ay or no.
1851. Ht. Martineau, Hist. Peace (1877), III. IV. x. 69. The ayes were loud and multitudinous.
1857. Toulmin Smith, Parish, 62. The whole number present … must range themselves, aye and no, on the two opposite sides of the room.
1882. Daily News, 30 March, 4/6. If the Ayes have it, Mr. MARRIOTT’s hostile resolution will be rejected.
