Etymology Dictionary

AYE,  adv., ever, always.  (Scand.)   The phr. 'for ay' occurs in Iwain and Gawain, l. 1510; in Ritson's Met. Romances, vol. i.   We also find 'ay withouten ende,' Li Beaus Disconus, l. 531, in Ritson's M. R., vol. ii.   [Also 'a buten ende,' Ancren Riwle, p. 396; where a = A.S. á.]—Icel. ei, ever. + A.S. á, aye, ever, always; Grein, i. II; used in various phrases, such as á forð, á on worlda forð, á tó worulde, &c.   It also appears in the longer forms áwa, áwo, Grein, i. 46, of which á is merely a contraction.   It is an adverbial use of a substantive which meant 'a long time,' as shewn by the Gothic. + Goth. aiw, ever; an adverb formed from the sb. aiws, time, an age, a long period, eternity, Luke, i. 70.   Cf. Lat. æuum, an age; Gk. αἰών, an age, αἰεί, ὰεί, ever, always, aye; Skt. eva, course, conduct.   See Age.