o yes

A judge raises a gavel and says, "O yes, the court is now in session."

Definition

1. Interjection:
   • A call for silence and attention: "o yes" is an archaic interjection used to announce a proclamation, request silence, or call a court or public gathering to order. It is a variant spelling of "oyez" (pronounced /oʊˈjɛs/ or /oʊˈjeɪ/).

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • The town crier shouted, "O yes, o yes, o yes! Hear ye the proclamation!" (A call for silence and attention before an official announcement.)
  • In the medieval courtroom, the bailiff cried, "O yes, all rise for the judge!" (A command for quiet and order in a legal setting.)

Advanced Usage

• "O yes" as a historical legal term: In English common law, "oyez" (often spelled "o yes") is repeated three times to open a court session or announce a royal decree.
  • The herald intoned, "O yes, o yes, o yes! The king's edict is hereby declared." (A formal call for attention before reading a legal document.)

Variants and Related Words

• Oyez (interjection): The standard modern spelling of the same word, used in legal contexts.

  • "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!" the court crier proclaimed. (The same call for silence, now standardized in spelling.)

• Oh yes (interjection): A common modern phrase meaning "certainly" or "indeed," but distinct from the archaic "o yes."

  • "Oh yes, I remember that story well." (An expression of affirmation, not a call for attention.)

Synonyms

• Hear ye: a traditional call for attention before an announcement.
• Silence: a command for quiet.

Related Idioms

• Cry oyes: to make a public announcement or call for order.
  • The bailiff cried oyes before reading the verdict. (He called for silence and attention.)