Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of You?

\You\ ([=u]), pron. [Possess. {Your} ([=u]r) or {Yours} ([=u]rz); dat. & obj. {You}.] [OE. you, eou, eow, dat. & acc., AS. e['o]w, used as dat. & acc. of ge, g[=e], ye; akin to OFries. iu, io, D. u, G. euch, OHG. iu, dat., iuwih, acc., Icel. y[eth]r, dat. & acc., Goth. izwis; of uncertain origin. [root]189. Cf. {Your}.] The pronoun of the second person, in the nominative, dative, and objective case, indicating the person or persons addressed. See the Note under {Ye}. Ye go to Canterbury; God you speed. --Chaucer. Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you To leave this place. --Shak. In vain you tell your parting lover You wish fair winds may waft him over. --Prior. Note: Though you is properly a plural, it is in all ordinary discourse used also in addressing a single person, yet properly always with a plural verb. ``Are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, wherein Rosalind is so admired ?'' --Shak. You and your are sometimes used indefinitely, like we, they, one, to express persons not specified. ``The looks at a distance like a new-plowed land; but as you come near it, you see nothing but a long heap of heavy, disjointed clods.'' --Addison. ``Your medalist and critic are much nearer related than the world imagine.'' --Addison. ``It is always pleasant to be forced to do what you wish to do, but what, until pressed, you dare not attempt.'' --Hook. You is often used reflexively for yourself of yourselves. ``Your highness shall repose you at the tower.'' --Shak.