no

no¹

/noh/, adv., adj., n., pl. noes, nos, v.

adv.

1. (a negative used to express dissent, denial, or refusal, as in response to a question or request)

2. (used to emphasize or introduce a negative statement): Not a single person came to the party, no, not a one.

3. not in any degree or manner; not at all (used with a comparative): He is no better.

4. not a (used before an adjective to convey the opposite of the adjective's meaning): His recovery was no small miracle.

adj.

5. not a (used before a noun to convey the opposite of the noun's meaning): She's no beginner on the ski slopes.

n.

6. an utterance of the word "no."

7. a denial or refusal: He responded with a definite no.

8. a negative vote or voter: The noes have it.

9. no can do, Informal. it can't be done.

v.t.

10. to reject, refuse approval, or express disapproval of.

v.i.

11. to express disapproval.

[bef. 900; ME; OE na, equiv. to ne not + a ever (see AY¹)]

no²

/noh/, adj.

1. not any: no money.

2. not at all; far from being: He is no genius.

3. very little; negligible: We got her to the hospital in no time.

[1150-1200; ME; var. of NONE¹]

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