I. adverb
also ay ˈā, in Brit dial “ or ˈəi or ˈai
Etymology: Middle English aye, ai, agg, from Old Norse ei; akin to Old English ā, ō always, Old High German eo, io, Gothic aiws time, eternity, Latin aevum age, lifetime, Greek aiōn age, eon, Sanskrit āyus life
: for all time or for an indefinite time : forever , ever , always , continually
love will aye endure — W.S.Gilbert
I aye thought the quotations from him … most appetizing — John Buchan
II. adverb
also ay ˈī
Etymology: earlier I, perhaps from Middle English yie, alteration of ye, ya yes — more at yea
: yes , certainly
aye , I mind him well — John Buchan
— used as an affirmative response especially in viva-voce voting, nautical language, and dialect speech; used reduplicatively in nautical language in response to an order or command
aye, aye, sir means “I understand, sir, and I will do it”
III. noun
also ay ˈī
( plural ayes )
1. : an affirmative vote
cast an aye for all administration measures
2. : one who votes affirmatively
the ayes have it