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Y to Yaup
Y
(Y) Y, the twenty-fifth letter of the English alphabet, at the beginning of a word or syllable, except
when a prefix 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 &UPSILON, originally the same letter as V.
Etymologically, it is most nearly related to u, i, o, and j. g; as in full, fill, AS. fyllan; E. crypt, grotto;
young, juvenile; day, AS. dæg. See U, I, and J, G.
Y has been called the Pythagorean letter, because the Greek letter &UPSILON 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) n.; pl. Y's (wiz) 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 (Zoöl.), 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) pron. I. [Obs.] King Horn. Wyclif.
Y-
(Y- or I-). [OE. y-, i-, AS. ge-, akin to D. & G. ge-, OHG. gi-, ga- , Goth. ga-, and perhaps to
Latin con-; originally meaning, together. Cf. 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 yheere. Chaucer.
Neither to ben yburied nor ybrent. Chaucer. Some examples of Chaucer's use of this prefix are; ibe, ibeen, icaught, ycome, ydo, idoon, ygo,
iproved, ywrought. It inough, enough, 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.
Ya
(Ya) adv. Yea. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Yacare
(Yac"a*re`) n. [See Jacare.] (Zoöl.) 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) n. (Bot.) 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) n. [D. jagt, jacht; perhaps properly, a chase, hunting, from. jagen to chase, hunt, akin
to G. jagen, OHG. jagon, of uncertain origin; or perhaps akin to OHG. gahi quick, sudden ] (Naut.) A
light and elegantly furnished vessel, used either for private parties of pleasure, or as a vessel of state to
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