lit., nothingness. In Chassidic terminology, the term is used to refer to a state of non-being that serves as a contrast to true existence.
nothingness; in addition, the first emanation of the Sefirtot, Keter, is sometimes described as ayin.
(lit., "nothing"): the void that precedes any act of creation; in the mortal realm, ayin describes a person who transcends his innate egocentricity and commits himself to the service of G-d; cf. *yesh