Middle English Dictionary Entry
oyes n.
Entry Info
| Forms | oyes n. Also oyas, oye, hoi. |
| Etymology | From interj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A call for attention at the beginning of a proclamation; ?also, a proclamation; maken ~, to call for silence and attention, shout 'oyes!'; ?make a proclamation.
Associated quotations
- c1440 Chaucer CT.Kn.(Cmb Ii.3.26)A.2533 : Oye [Heng: An heraud on a Scaffold made an oo].
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)285/367 : I am here at youre hande to halow a hoy.
- c1450(c1425) Brut-1419 (Cmb Kk.1.12)337/15 : Iak Straw þanne made an oyes in þe felde, þat alle þe pepyl of accorde schulde come nere, & here his clamour and his crye.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)284/23 : Þis was þe custom, þat vnto þe yate of hym þat sulde be iugied vnto dead, sulde þe kyngis messanger be sent befor, to make ane oyas.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1139 : Tak al, thi foo comyng, and mak an oye That euery man to strengthes ha ther goodis.
- a1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)3826 : Thanne made they herodes stonde on hye To make an Oye and a crye..Eche man schulde onarme hym.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)2604 : Where haue ye ben, My dere Son…That neuer letter ne worde sent with oye That myn hert gretly myght ease.
Note: Additional quote(s)