nill

• POS: Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

nill, v. t. [AS. nilan, nyllan; ne not + willan to will. See No, and Will.].

 Not to will; to refuse; to reject.  [1913 Webster]
"Certes, said he, I nill thine offered grace."  [1913 Webster]

nill, v. i. 

 To be unwilling; to refuse to act.  [1913 Webster]
"The actions of the will are “velle” and “nolle,” to will and nill."  [1913 Webster]

Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or not; usually contracted to willy-nilly.

nill, n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. neul star, light. Cf. Nebula.].

•  Shining sparks thrown off from melted brass.  [1913 Webster]
•  Scales of hot iron from the forge.  Knight.  [1913 Webster]

ROGET THESAURUS

nill

Unwillingness

VB be unwilling, nill, dislike, grudge, begrudge, not be able to find it in one's heart to, not have the stomach to, demur, stick at, scruple, stickle, hang fire, run rusty, recoil, shrink, swerve, hesitate, avoid, oppose, dissent, refuse.

Refusal

VB refuse, reject, deny, decline, turn down, nill, negative, refuse one's assent, withhold one's assent, shake the head, close the hand, close the purse, grudge, begrudge, be slow to, hang fire, pass (at cards), be deaf to, dismiss, turn a deaf ear to, turn one's back upon, set one's face against, discountenance, not hear of, have nothing to do with, wash one's hands of, stand aloof, forswear, set aside, cast behind one, not yield an inch, resist, cross, not grant, repel, repulse, shut the door in one's face, slam the door in one's face, rebuff, send back, send to the right about, send away with a flea in the ear, deny oneself, not be at home to, discard, spurn, rescind, disclaim, protest, dissent.