oyez

American  

[oh-yes, oh-yez] / ˈoʊ yɛs, ˈoʊ yɛz /

Or oyes

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).

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noun

plural

oyesses

1. a cry of “oyez.”

oyez British  

/ -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

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noun

1. such a cry

Etymology

Origin of oyez

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

Example Sentences

A town crier then rang a bell and boomed, as Charles chuckled: "Oyez, oyez, oyez! I officially proclaim Colchester Zoo's newest addition as baby Dara."

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2023

The chief had assigned the investigation to Ms. Curley, the marshal, whose best-known task was crying “Oyez, oyez, oyez!” as justices entered the courtroom.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2023

Self-proclaimed royalist Tony Appleton, 81, showed up dressed in a feathered tricorn hat, unfurled a faux parchment and roared: “Oyez, oyez, oyez! We’ve got a royal baby, a prince!”

From Washington Post • Apr. 23, 2018

To the "Oyez, oyez" chant of Marshal Pamela Talkin, the justices emerge in their black robes from behind crimson velvet drapes and ascend the bench.

From Reuters • Jun. 22, 2012

“Oyez, oyez, oyez,” called a man in the shadows.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson