Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Yes; indeed; truly: An archaic or formal word used to express affirmation, agreement, or strong emphasis. It can also introduce a stronger or more specific point.
   • Moreover; not only that: Used to introduce a more emphatic or significant statement following a previous one.

2. Noun:

   • An affirmative vote or voter: A formal vote in favor of a proposal, or a person who casts such a vote.
   • The affirmative side: The group or number of votes supporting a motion.

Usage and Examples

• Adverb:

  • "Do you agree?" "Yea, I do." (Expressing simple affirmation.)
  • The project is difficult, yea, nearly impossible. (Adding emphasis, meaning "indeed" or "in fact".)
  • He was a good leader, yea, a great one. (Introducing a stronger, more specific statement.)

• Noun:

  • The motion passed with 20 yeas and 5 nays. (Referring to the affirmative votes.)
  • All yeas in favor, please raise your hand. (Referring to the voters supporting the motion.)
  • The yeas have it. (A formal declaration that the affirmative side has won the vote.)

Advanced Usage

• Formal/Archaic Contexts: "Yea" is primarily used in formal settings (e.g., parliamentary procedure, roll call votes) or to create an archaic, biblical, or poetic tone in writing. In modern casual speech, "yes" or "yeah" is used.
• Emphatic Function: When used as an adverb for emphasis, it often precedes a correction or intensification of the preceding idea, similar to "indeed" or "verily".

Variants and Related Words

• Aye (adv. & n.): A synonym used especially in British English and parliamentary contexts for an affirmative vote ("The ayes have it").
• Yes (adv. & n.): The standard modern word for affirmation.
• Nay (adv. & n.): The direct antonym, meaning "no" or a negative vote.

Synonyms

• Adverb: Yes, indeed, truly, verily (archaic), assuredly.
• Noun: Affirmative vote, aye.

Antonyms

• Adverb: Nay, no.
• Noun: Nay, negative vote.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "The yeas and nays": The record of how members voted for and against a proposal.
  • The clerk called the roll for the yeas and nays.
• "Yea or nay": A formal way of saying "yes or no," used when asking for a definitive decision.
  • I need a simple yea or nay on this proposal by tomorrow.

Adverb

1. not only so, but
   • I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice

Noun

1. an affirmative
   • The yeas have it