ません
Japanese
editEtymology 1
editFrom ませぬ (masenu), from まらせぬ (marasenu), from まゐらせぬ (mairasenu), the negative form of 参らす (mairasu, “to do, to give, to offer”). Negative -ぬ (nu) regularly contracts to -ん (n).
Suffix
edit- A suffix used to form the polite negative present of a verb. The negative form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).
Etymology 2
editFrom ませむ (masemu), from まらせむ (marasemu), from まゐらせむ (mairasemu), the volitional form of 参らす (mairasu, “to do, to give, to offer”). Classical volitional auxiliary -む (mu) regularly contracts to -ん (n).
The same root also serves as a basis for modern ましょう (mashō), from ませう (maseu), based off of an alternative regular contraction of classical volitional auxiliary -む (mu) to -う (u).
Suffix
edit- (archaic, Edo period) A suffix used to form the polite volitional of a verb. The volitional form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).