nill

verb

ˈnil How to pronounce nill (audio)
nilled; nilling; nills

intransitive verb

archaic : to be unwilling : will not
will you nill you, I will marry you—William Shakespeare

transitive verb

archaic : refuse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nilen, from Old English nyllan, from ne not + wyllan to wish — more at no, will

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of nill was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near nill

nil grade

nill

nilly-willy

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Nill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nill. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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