A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1597-1661
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Naysay, n. [Nay adv. 2: also e.m.E. (1631) and e.m.E. nay-sayenge, naye-saiyng (11535, 1542).] A refusal or denial. a1598 Ferg. Prov. 13.
A good asker should have a good naysay 1605-6 Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 337.
They cannot take a nay-say 1630 Blair Autob. 84. 1633 Johnston Diary I. 167.
I sau God's providence neyther totally dejecting me by ane absolut naysay nor [etc.] 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 169.
When Christ seems to give you a nay-say 1638 Johnston Diary I. 315. 1638 Cant Serm. 13 June 1638 (1741) 24.
He sent out other servants & they got a nay-say, yet he will not take a nay-say a1661 Rutherford Cry from the Dead 14.
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"Naysay n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/naysay>
