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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NA-SAY, v., n. Also naesay, naysay (Sc. 1887 Jam.), and aphetic form awsay. See Na, adv.1, Nae, adv.1 [′nɑse, ′ne-]

I. v. tr. To say “no” to, refuse, deny, contradict (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ne.Sc., Ags., Arg. 1963). Vbl.n. na-sayin, a refusal, denial (Jam.).Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 188:
Our Deacon wadna ca' a chair, The foul ane durst him na-say.
Sc. 1812 Scotchman No. 8. 74:
This is a truth whilk winna bide to be nay sayt.
Sc. a.1830 James Hatley in Child Ballads No. 244 A. 7:
Ask it, and it granted shall be; If it should be my hole estate, Naesaid, naesaid, it shall not be.
Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xiv.:
Andro an' me beggit to be excused, but they wadna be naysaid.
Knr. 1891 H. Haliburton Ochil Idylls 148:
There's no a buird to stay ye; . . . Nor upstart to nay-say ye.
Abd. 1904 W. Farquhar Fyvie Lintie 34:
First cam' a laird, purse-proud and prim, Said — “Nae ane will na-say me, O!”

Hence naysayer, one who makes a refusal or denial.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 21:
A sturdy Begger should have a stout Naysayer. Spoken when we give a flat Denial to an importunate Solicitor, signifying that his Importunity deserves such Usage.

II. n. A denial, refusal, prohibition, contradiction (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Mry.1 1925: Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16), gen. in phr. to tak or hae nae na(e)say, to take no refusal, to brook no denial (ne.Sc.. Ags., Slg., Fif., Arg. 1963).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 268:
Nineteen nay says of a Maiden is but half a Grant. Spoken to encourage those who have had a Denial from their Mistress to attack them again.
Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems 104:
Were I a lad, it ne'er sud gi'e me pain, Tho' I sud get the na-say, man, frae ten.
Sc. 1817 Scott Rob Roy xxvii.:
I'se do a' your lawfu' bidding without a nay-say.
Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 38:
The Camptan wad tak nae awsay, he was sae contermashus like wi' them.
Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlvii.:
Sandy Peterkin . . . was diffident of undertaking the duty asked of him; but Johnny would have no “na-say”.
Ags. 1891 J. Y. Geddes Valhalla 62:
Her na say or nae say 'ill no bather me.
Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 48:
Johnie wantit her, an wudna tak a nay-say.
Abd. 1958 People's Jnl. (1 Nov.) 11:
Tappie . . . wid hae nae na-say bit Ah'd cry tee a meenit an' hae a skye milk.
Arg. 1961:
If ye'll no heed my say-sae, ye'll tak tent o my nasay.

[Na, adv.1, Nae, adv., + say. O.Sc. has naysay, = 2., a.1598.]

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"Na-say v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nasay>

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