Ne
/niː/noun
An archaic English conjunction meaning “nor” or “not.”
Did you know?The same ancient negative element behind English “ne” appears in the Latin root of “negative,” linking a medieval-sounding conjunction to modern mathematical language.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ne
“A basic negative particle meaning “not.””
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*ne
“A negative particle inherited into the Germanic language family.”
Old English
Old English
ne
““Not” or “nor,” used as a negative particle and conjunction.”
Middle English
Middle English
ne
“An increasingly archaic form meaning “not” or “nor.””
Modern English
English
ne
“A rare or archaic conjunction, chiefly encountered in historical, poetic, or formulaic language.”