Middle English Dictionary Entry
yon pron.
Entry Info
| Forms | yon pron. Also yoene, gion. |
| Etymology | Chiefly N. From yon adj.; occas. difficult to distinguish from yon adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
As dem. pron., pointing to a person, an animal, etc.: that one over there, that one; also, those over there, those; that ~.
Associated quotations
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9388 : Þat yon [Göt: it] was a rightwis dom.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13804 : Quat cursed man es yon [Göt: yone]…Wirckand gains godd?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15919 : Yon [Göt: yoene]…es an of his þat wit vs es in hand.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19700 : Ne es noght yon [Phys-E: gion] He þat we sagh þis endir dai?
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)1893 : Þe lady lay ever and bihelde; Sho sais, ‘Yon es a nobil knyght.’
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)330,334 : Swilke thyngez as are ȝone Rade þe knyghtes apone…The moste of ȝone that i see Smertly schall bere mee.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1634 : Syne saȝe I na segg þat sa was arayd, And sekirly yone semys Þe same to se to within, Þe same gode at I in my slepe saȝe.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)119/22 : He askid…what þingis þai wer, And þai þat wer aboute ansswerd hym & said, ‘yone er devils þat begylis men.’
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7402 : Ȝon es…kynge osuualde.