Middle English Dictionary Entry
yō interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | yō interj. Also yowe, io, (NM) ya. |
| Etymology | Imitative; but cp. L īo interj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ye interj.
1.
(a) An exclamation used to attract attention;
(b) a cry used to goad someone or usu. an animal: get going, giddyap; ~ forth.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)282/295 : Yowe! þat schalke shuld not shamely be shente.
- a1500 Treat.Hunt.(Cmb Ll.1.18)49/93 : Þere owez you to say þus: ‘Ya, Daue, I halowe, here bethe þe fuyte, howell.’
b
- a1475(a1450) Tourn.Tott.(Hrl 5396)144 : I am in my iolyte, With io forth, Gybbe!
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)10/25 : Io furth, greyn-horne! and war oute, gryme!
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)10/42 : Say, mall and stott, will ye not go? Lemyng, morell, white-horne, Io! Now will ye not se how thay hy?
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)228/1 : Do Io furth, Io! and trott on a pase! To anna will we go and sir cayphas.