oyez

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French oyez, oiez, imperative plural of oir (“to hear”), from Old French oïr (“to hear”), itself from Latin audiō, audīre (“to hear”) (oyez in particular corresponding to the second-person plural imperative form, audite).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈəʊˌjeɪ/, IPA(key): /oʊˈjeɪ/
  • (US) IPA(key): /oʊˈjeɪ/
  • Hyphenation: o‧yez

Interjection

oyez

  1. Hear ye. Attend. (Called by public criers or in court usually three times to secure silence and/or attentiveness).

Usage notes

  • It is still used in the United States Supreme Court, similar to calling "order", and in many state supreme courts, though some lower courts have dropped its use.

Noun

oyez (plural oyezes)

  1. A cry of "oyez".

References

  • Webster's International Dictionary: 1902.
  • Concise Oxford: 1981.

Anagrams

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɔ.je/

Verb

oyez

  1. second-person plural imperative of ouïr

Old French

Alternative forms

Verb

oyez

  1. second-person plural present indicative of oir
  2. second-person plural imperative of oir
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