Nary

/ˈnɛri/ adjective

Definition

Not a single one; not even one of something (used for emphasis).

Etymology

From Old English 'nǽfre' (never one), contracted to 'ne'er a' and eventually 'nary.' It's an archaic or dialectal way of saying 'not one.'

Kelly Says

Nary is a wonderful old-fashioned word that survives mainly in phrases like 'nary a soul'—it's how people emphasize complete absence before modern words like 'zero' or 'none' became common.

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