No beginning and end, naturally (3)

I believe the answer is:

nay

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'no' is the definition.
(archaic form 'no')

'beginning and end naturally' is the wordplay.
'beginning' becomes 'na' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'end' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'naturally' is 'y'.
'na'+'y'='NAY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nay that I've seen before include "No - a negative vote" , "Refusal" , "Denial" , "even" , "disagreement" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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