eh, int.
(eː, eɪ)
[repr. an exclamation of instinctive origin; ME. had ey; the mod. spelling may be after Fr. eh, though it might have suggested itself independently.]
1. An ejaculation of sorrow. Cf. ah 1.
| 1567 Triall Treas. in Hazl. Dodsley III. 281 Eh, they have used me with too much villainy. |
2. An interjectional interrogative particle; often inviting assent to the sentiment expressed.
| 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. ii. i, Wasn't it lucky, eh? 1816 ‘Quiz’ Grand Master vi. 132 What have I brought you here for—eh? 1859 E. Capern Ball. & Songs 68 You are joking, Jesse, eh? 1867 E. Waugh Owd Blanket iii. 61 (Lanc. Gloss.) Eh, iv that blanket could talk, Ailse, it could oather make folk laugh or cry! 1870 B. Brierley Bundle o' Fents i. 31 (Lanc. Gloss.) ‘Eh, whatever is ther' t' do?’ hoo shrikt eawt. |
3. Used interrogatively, as a request for the repetition or explanation of something that has just been said: = What do you say? colloq. or vulgar.
| 1837 T. Bacon Impressions in Hindostan II. 149 Eh? What's that, Sackville? a 1845 Hood Hood's Own 2nd Ser. (1861) 26 ‘The mail bags are on board—and it's more than my post is worth to put back.’ ‘Eh? What? How?’ exclaimed the Oddity. 1869 Chambers's Jrnl. 595/2 ‘Eh?’ said the old clerk, at last detecting my intrusion. I repeated my business. 1903 C. Marriott House on Sands xvi, ‘Ass!’ muttered Lanyon, with a diabolical grin. ‘Jelly-belly!’ ‘Eh?’ said Sir Peter, blankly. ‘Your health,’ replied Lanyon, gravely, raising his glass. 1905 H. G. Wells Kipps iii. i. 321 ‘I'm going to build a house, Ann.’ ‘Eh?’ said Ann suddenly, as if awake. ‘Build a house.’ 1969 Listener 27 Feb. 280/2 Most of what we think characteristically modern already existed by 1914: aircraft, radio-telegraphy, psychoanalysis, Post-Impressionism, motion-picture palaces, and the Labour Party (eh?). |
Hence eh v. intr., to say ‘Eh!’
| 1824 Scott Redgauntlet vii, The former ha'd, eh'd. |