ye

UK: jiː | US: jiː

Definition

  1. pron. archaic or dialectal form of "you" (plural or singular)

  2. det. archaic spelling of "the" (used in Middle English, often representing a thorn [þ] character)

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology
  • The word "ye" has two distinct origins:
    1. As "you": Derived from Old English gē, the plural of þū (thou), surviving in dialects and archaic usage.
    2. As "the": A visual artifact from Middle English, where the thorn (þ) symbol merged with y in printing, leading to false "ye" (e.g., "Ye Olde Shoppe" = The Old Shop).
Examples

  1. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." (archaic "you")

  2. "Hark, ye merry folk!" (dialectal plural address)

  3. "Ye olde tavern is just around the corner." (misprinted "the")

  4. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." (poetic "you")

  5. "Ye gods, what a sight!" (exclamatory archaic plural).