oyez

or o·yes

[ oh-yes, oh-yez ]

interjection

1. hear! attend! (a cry uttered usually twice by a court officer to command silence and attention, as before court is in session, and formerly by public criers).

noun

, plural oyesses.

1. a cry of “oyez.”

oyez

/ -ˈjɛz; əʊˈjɛs /

interjection

1. a cry, usually uttered three times, by a public crier or court official for silence and attention before making a proclamation

noun

1. such a cry

Word History and Origins

Origin of oyez¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French, plural imperative of oyer; oyer

Word History and Origins

Origin of oyez¹

C15: via Anglo-Norman from Old French oiez! hear!

Example Sentences

I would not have an author make it his business to render me attentive: or that he should cry out fifty times Oyez!

From Project Gutenberg

All it does is give evidence that your friend and partner will be on the job when the bailiff yells oyez, oyez, oyez.

From Project Gutenberg

I was very much surprised to hear a court of justice in Pennsylvania opened with the old French word oyez!

From Project Gutenberg

On October 22, a proclamation is made in the Exchequer as follows: 'Oyez!

From Project Gutenberg

This is a corruption of the old Norman-French word oyez, “hear ye.”

From Project Gutenberg