Y, ywaɪ(n.)(pl.)Ys; Y's, ys; y's.

1. the 25th letter of the English alphabet, a semivowel.

   Category: Language/Linguistics

2. any spoken sound represented by this letter.

   Category: Language/Linguistics

3. something shaped like aY.

4. a written or printed representation of the letter Y or

   y.

Ywaɪ

1. the Y, Informal. the YMCA, YWCA, YMHA, or YWHA.

   Category: Chemistry, Informal, Numismatics

Y

1. Ref: yen1. 1

Y^*

1. the 25th in order or in a series.

2. (sometimes l.c.) Elect. admittance.

   Category: Electricity and Magnetism

3. Chem. yttrium.

   Category: Chemistry

4. Biochem. tyrosine.

   Category: Biochemistry

^* Symbol..

y^*

1. an unknown quantity or a variable.

   Category: Math

^* Math. Symbol..

y-

or i-, 7

1. a prefix occurring in certain obsolete words (iwis) and esp. in archaic past participles (yclad; yclept).

   Category: Affix

Origin of y-:

ME y-, i- (reduced var. a-), OE ge-, prefix with perfective, intensifying, or collective force; c. OFris, OS ge-, gi-, OHG ga-, gi, Go ga-

-y

or -ey, 1

1. an adjective-forming suffix meaning “characterized by or inclined to” the substance or action of the word or stem to which the suffix is attached:

   bloody; cloudy; sexy; squeaky.

   Category: Affix

Origin of -y:

OE -ig; c. G -ig

-y

or -ie, 2

1. a noun-forming suffix, added to monosyllabic bases, occurring in endearing or familiar names or common nouns formed from personal names, other nouns, and adjectives (Billy; Susie; birdie; granny; sweetie; tummy) and in various other usu. informal coinages, sometimes pejorative (boonies; goalie; groupie; Okie; rookie). This suffix also forms from adjectives nouns that denote exemplary or extreme instances of the quality specified (baddie; biggie), sometimes focusi

   Category: Affix

   Ref: Compare -o 9 , -sy 3 .

Origin of -y:

late ME (Scots)

-y

1. a suffix of various origins used in the formation of action nouns from verbs (inquiry), and also found in other abstract nouns (infamy).

   Category: Affix

Origin of -y:

repr. L -ia-ia , -ium-ium1; Gk -ia, -eia, -ion; F -ie; G -ie

y.

1. yard.

2. year.

   Category: Horology