From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishnaynay1 /neɪ/ adverb 1 [sentence adverb] literaryEMPHASIZE used when you are adding something to emphasize what you have just said a bright – nay, a blinding light2 old useNO used to say no Nay, lad. It’s not that bad.
Examples from the Corpus
nay• Boyd voted nay.• You are permitted, nay, encouraged to come back as many times as you like.• You are permitted, nay encouraged, to come back as many times as your appetite permits.• The administration explains these frustrations as understandable, nay inevitable, given the difficulties of transition.• The horses waded in blood up to their knees, nay up to the bridle.naynay2 noun [countable] a ‘no’ – used when votingExamples from the Corpus
nay• I can't say yay or nay to that really.Origin nay1 (1100-1200) Old Norse nei 