Y Y (wī). Y, the twenty-fifth letter of the English alphabet, at the beginning of a word or syllable, except when a prefix (see Y-), is usually a fricative vocal consonant; as a prefix, and usually in the middle or at the end of a syllable, it is a vowel. See Guide to Pronunciation , §§ 145, 178-9, 272. It derives its form from the Latin Y, which is from the Greek Υ, originally the same letter as V. Etymologically, it is most nearly related to u , i , o , and j . g ; as in full , fill , Anglo-Saxon fyllan ; English crypt , grotto ; young , juvenile ; day , Anglo-Saxon dæg . See U , I , and J , G . » Y has been called the Pythagorean letter , because the Greek letter Υ was taken represent the sacred triad, formed by the duad proceeding from the monad; and also because it represents the dividing of the paths of vice and virtue in the development of human life.

Y Y (wī) noun ; plural Y's (wīz) or Ys . Something shaped like the letter Y ; a forked piece resembling in form the letter Y . Specifically: (a) One of the forked holders for supporting the telescope of a leveling instrument, or the axis of a theodolite; a wye. (b) A forked or bifurcated pipe fitting. (c) (Railroads) A portion of track consisting of two diverging tracks connected by a cross track. Y level (Surv.) , an instrument for measuring differences of level by means of a telescope resting in Y 's. -- Y moth (Zoology) , a handsome European noctuid moth Plusia gamma ) which has a bright, silvery mark, shaped like the letter Y , on each of the fore wings. Its larva, which is green with five dorsal white species, feeds on the cabbage, turnip, bean, etc. Called also gamma moth , and silver Y .

Y Y (ī) pron. I. [ Obsolete] King Horn. Wyclif.

Y current Y current (Electricity) The current through one branch of the star arrangement of a three-phase circuit.

Y level Y" lev`el (Surv.) See under Y , noun

Y-, I- Y-, I- [ Middle English y- , i- , Anglo-Saxon ge- , akin to D. & German ge- , Old High German gi- , ga- , Goth. ga- , and perhaps to Latin con -; originally meaning, together. Confer Com- , Aware , Enough , Handiwork , Ywis .] A prefix of obscure meaning, originally used with verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns, and pronouns. In the Middle English period, it was little employed except with verbs, being chiefly used with past participles, though occasionally with the infinitive Ycleped , or yclept , is perhaps the only word not entirely obsolete which shows this use.

That no wight mighte it see neither y heere.

Chaucer.

Neither to ben y buried nor y brent.

Chaucer. » Some examples of Chaucer's use of this prefix are; i be, i been, i caught, y come, y do, i doon, y go, i proved, y wrought. It i nough, e nough, it is combined with an adjective. Other examples are in the Vocabulary. Spenser and later writers frequently employed this prefix when affecting an archaic style, and sometimes used it incorrectly.

Y e , Ye Y e , Ye (&thlig;ē), an old method of printing the article the (AS. þe ), the "y" being used in place of the Anglo-Saxon thorn (þ). It is sometimes incorrectly pronounced yē. See The , and Thorn , noun , 4.

Y t , Yt Y t , Yt (&thlig;ăt) , an old method of printing that (AS. þæt , ðæt ) the "y" taking the place of the old letter "thorn" (þ). Confer Ye , the.

Ya Ya (yä) adverb Yea. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Yacare Yac"a·re` (yăk"ȧ*rā`) noun [ See Jacare .] (Zoology) A South American crocodilian ( Jacare sclerops ) resembling the alligator in size and habits. The eye orbits are connected together, and surrounded by prominent bony ridges. Called also spectacled alligator , and spectacled cayman . [ Written also jacare .] » The name is also applied to allied species.

Yacca Yac"ca (yăk"kȧ) noun (Botany) A West Indian name for two large timber trees ( Podocarpus coriaceus , and P. Purdicanus ) of the Yew family. The wood, which is much used, is pale brownish with darker streaks.

Yacht Yacht (yŏt) noun [ Dutch jagt , jacht ; perhaps properly, a chase, hunting, from. jagen to chase, hunt, akin to German jagen , Old High German jagōn , of uncertain origin; or perhaps akin to Old High German gāhi quick, sudden (cf. Gay ).] (Nautical) A light and elegantly furnished vessel, used either for private parties of pleasure, or as a vessel of state to convey distinguished persons from one place to another; a seagoing vessel used only for pleasure trips, racing, etc. Yacht measurement . See the Note under Tonnage , 4.

Yacht Yacht intransitive verb To manage a yacht; to voyage in a yacht.

Yachter Yacht"er (-ẽr) noun One engaged in sailing a jacht.

Yachting Yacht"ing noun Sailing for pleasure in a yacht.

Yachtman Yacht"man noun See Yachtsman .

Yachtsman Yachts"man noun ; plural Yachtsmen One who owns or sails a yacht; a yachter.

Yaf Yaf obsolete imperfect of Give . [ Anglo-Saxon geaf , imperfect of giefan to give. See Give ] Gave. See Give . Chaucer.

Yaffingale Yaf"fin·gale noun [ See Yaffle , and confer Nightingale .] (Zoology) The yaffle. [ Prov. Eng.]

Yaffle Yaf"fle noun [ Probably imitative of its call or cry.] (Zoology) The European green woodpecker ( Picus, or Genius, viridis ). It is noted for its loud laughlike note. Called also eccle , hewhole , highhoe , laughing bird , popinjay , rain bird , yaffil , yaffler , yaffingale , yappingale , yackel , and woodhack .

Yager Ya"ger noun [ German jäger a hunter, from jagen to chase, hunt.] (Mil.) In the German army, one belonging to a body of light infantry armed with rifles, resembling the chasseur of the French army. [ Written also jager .]

Yaguarundi Ya`gua·run"di noun (Zoology) Same as Jaguarondi . [ Written also yaguarondi , and yagouarondi .]

Yahoo Ya"hoo noun 1. One of a race of filthy brutes in Swift's "Gulliver's Travels." See in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction. 2. Hence, any brutish or vicious character. 3. A raw countryman; a lout; a greenhorn. [ U. S.]

Yahweh, Yahwe Yah"weh, Yah"we noun Also Jah"veh Jah"ve etc. A modern transliteration of the Hebrew word translated Jehovah in the Bible; -- used by some critics to discriminate the tribal god of the ancient Hebrews from the Christian Jehovah . Yahweh or Yahwe is the spelling now generally adopted by scholars.

Yahwism Yah"wism noun Also Jah"vism 1. The religion or worship of Yahweh (Jehovah), or the system of doctrines, etc., connected with it. 2. Use of Yahweh as a name of God.

Yahwist Yah"wist noun Also Jah"vist Jah"wist older

Yajur-Veda Yaj"ur-Ve"da (yȧj"ûr-vā`dȧ or -vē`dȧ) noun [ Sanskrit yajur- vēda .] See Veda .

Yak Yak (yăk) noun [ Thibetan gyag .] (Zoology) A bovine mammal ( Poëphagus grunnies ) native of the high plains of Central Asia. Its neck, the outer side of its legs, and its flanks, are covered with long, flowing, fine hair. Its tail is long and bushy, often white, and is valued as an ornament and for other purposes in India and China. There are several domesticated varieties, some of which lack the mane and the long hair on the flanks. Called also chauri gua , grunting cow , grunting ox , sarlac , sarlik , and sarluc . Yak lace , a coarse pillow lace made from the silky hair of the yak.

Yakamilk Yak"a·milk noun (Zoology) See Trumpeter , 3 (a) .

Yakare Yak"a·re` noun (Zoology) Same as Yacare .

Yakin Ya"kin noun (Zoology) A large Asiatic antelope ( Budorcas taxicolor ) native of the higher parts of the Himalayas and other lofty mountains. Its head and neck resemble those of the ox, and its tail is like that of the goat. Called also budorcas .

Yakoots Ya·koots" noun plural ; sing. Yakoot (Ethnol.) A nomadic Mongolian tribe native of Northern Siberia, and supposed to be of Turkish stock. They are mainly pastoral in their habits. [ Written also Yakuts .]

Yaksha Yak"sha noun [ Sanskrit ] (Hindoo Myth.) A kind of demigod attendant on Kuvera, the god of wealth.

Yakut Ya·kut" noun The Turkish language of the Yakuts, a Mongolian people of northeastern Siberia, which is lingua franca over much of eastern Siberia.

Yalah Ya"lah noun The oil of the mahwa tree.

Yam Yam (yăm) noun [ Portuguese inhame , probably from some native name.] (Botany) A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various climbing plants of the genus Dioscorea ; also, the plants themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants have netted-veined, petioled leaves, and pods with three broad wings. The commonest species is D. sativa , but several others are cultivated. Chinese yam , a plant ( Dioscorea Batatas ) with a long and slender tuber, hardier than most of the other species. -- Wild yam . (a) A common plant ( Dioscorea villosa ) of the Eastern United States, having a hard and knotty rootstock. (b) An orchidaceous plant ( Gastrodia sesamoides ) of Australia and Tasmania.

Yam Yam noun (Botany) Any one of several cultural varieties of the sweet potato. [ U. S.]

Yama Ya"ma noun [ Sanskrit yama a twin.] (Hindoo Myth.) The king of the infernal regions, corresponding to the Greek Pluto, and also the judge of departed souls. In later times he is more exclusively considered the dire judge of all, and the tormentor of the wicked. He is represented as of a green color, with red garments, having a crown on his head, his eyes inflamed, and sitting on a buffalo, with a club and noose in his hands.

Yamen Ya"men noun [ Chin. ya a civil or military court + men a gate.] In China, the official headquarters or residence of a mandarin, including court rooms, offices, gardens, prisons, etc.; the place where the business of any public department is transcated.

Yamma Yam"ma noun [ See Llama .] (Zoology) The llama.

Yamp Yamp noun (Botany) An umbelliferous plant ( Carum Gairdneri ); also, its small fleshy roots, which are eaten by the Indians from Idaho to California.

Yang Yang noun [ Of imitative origin.] The cry of the wild goose; a honk.

Yang Yang intransitive verb To make the cry of the wild goose.

Yank Yank noun [ Confer Scot. yank a sudden and severe blow.] A jerk or twitch. [ Colloq. U. S.]

Yank Yank transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Yanked ; present participle & verbal noun Yanking .] To twitch; to jerk. [ Colloq. U. S.]

Yank Yank noun An abbreviation of Yankee . [ Slang]

Yankee Yan"kee noun [ Commonly considered to be a corrupt pronunciation of the word English , or of the French word Anglais , by the native Indians of America. According to Thierry, a corruption of Jankin , a diminutive of John , and a nickname given to the English colonists of Connecticut by the Dutch settlers of New York. Dr. W. Gordon ("Hist. of the Amer. War," ed, 1789, vol. i., pp. 324, 325) says it was a favorite cant word in Cambridge, Mass., as early as 1713, and that it meant excellent ; as, a yankee good horse, yankee good cider, etc. Confer Scot yankie a sharp, clever, and rather bold woman, and Prov. E. bow- yankees a kind of leggins worn by agricultural laborers.] A nickname for a native or citizen of New England, especially one descended from old New England stock; by extension, an inhabitant of the Northern States as distinguished from a Southerner; also, applied sometimes by foreigners to any inhabitant of the United States.

From meanness first this Portsmouth Yankey rose,
And still to meanness all his conduct flows.

Oppression, A poem by an American (Boston, 1765).

Yankee Yan"kee adjective Of or pertaining to a Yankee; characteristic of the Yankees.

The alertness of the Yankee aspect.

Hawthorne. Yankee clover . (Botany) See Japan clover , under Japan .

Yankee-Doodle Yan`kee-Doo"dle noun 1. The name of a tune adopted popularly as one of the national airs of the United States. 2. Humorously, a Yankee.

We might have withheld our political noodles
From knocking their heads against hot Yankee- Doodles .

Moore.

Yankeeism Yan"kee·ism noun A Yankee idiom, word, custom, or the like. Lowell.