Word of the Day 7.17.08
gain·say (g
n-s
, gns
)
tr.v. gain·said (-sd, -s
d), gain·say·ing, gain·says (-sz, -sz)
1. To declare false; deny. See Synonyms at deny.
2. To oppose, especially by contradiction.
[Middle English gainsayen : gain-, against (from Old English gegn-) + sayen, to say (from Old English secgan; see say).]
gain·sayer n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
