nill

verb

ˈnil

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nill. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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