Middle English Dictionary Entry
hī(e interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | hī(e interj. Also highe. |
| Etymology | Prob. imitative; cp. ei, hei, hǒu, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A cry used by hunters; also, used in a drinking song.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1445 : [Þ]ise oþer halowed, 'hyghe!' ful hyȝe, & 'hay! hay!' cryed.
- a1500 PPl.A(1) (Eaton)7.108 : Hie [Trin-C: And holpen ere þe half akir wiþ 'hey trolly lolly'].
- -?-(?a1500) Hunt.Hare (Adv 19.3.1)136 : Thei cryed, 'Hy, hy!' all at ones, 'Kyll! kyll! for kockes bownes!'