oyez

The judge calls "oyez" to begin the court session.

Definition

1. Interjection:
   • A call for silence and attention: "oyez" is a traditional interjection used by public criers or court officers to command silence and attention before making an official announcement. It is typically repeated three times: "Oyez, oyez, oyez!"

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • The town crier shouted, "Oyez, oyez, oyez! Hear ye, hear ye, the king's decree!" (A call for silence before an official proclamation.)
  • In the courtroom, the bailiff announced, "Oyez! The court is now in session." (A command for silence and attention before proceedings begin.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical context: "oyez" derives from the Anglo-Norman French word (meaning "hear ye" or "listen"), and it was used historically in English courts and public announcements. It is still used in some formal legal contexts, such as the opening of the U.S. Supreme Court sessions.
  • The marshal of the court called out "Oyez, oyez, oyez" before the justices entered. (A traditional ritual to signal the start of a session.)

Variants and Related Words

• Oyez (alternative spelling: , ): The word is sometimes written as "oh yes" or "o yes" in older texts, but "oyez" is the standard modern spelling.
  • The crier's "O yes" was a variant of the same call. (An older spelling form.)

Synonyms

• Hear ye: a phrase used to call for attention, often in historical or legal contexts.
• Silence: a command for quiet, though less formal than "oyez."

Related Idioms

• "Oyez, oyez, oyez": a fixed phrase used in formal announcements, often repeated three times for emphasis.
  • The herald began with "Oyez, oyez, oyez" to gather the crowd. (A traditional opening formula.)