Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - aye

1. adv. & n. (also ay) --adv. 1 archaic or dial. yes. 2 (in voting) I assent. 3 (as aye aye) Naut. a response accepting an order. --n. an affirmative answer or assent, esp. in voting. Phrases and idioms the ayes have it the affirmative votes are in the majority. Etymology: 16th c.: prob. f. first pers. personal pron. expressing assent 2. adv. archaic ever, always. Phrases and idioms for aye for ever. Etymology: ME f. ON ei, ey f. Gmc