I. ˈyā adverb
Etymology: Middle English ye, ya, from Old English gēa; akin to Old High German jā yes
Date: before 12th century
1. : yes — used in oral voting
2. : more than this : not only so but — used to introduce a more explicit or emphatic phrase
yet the impression, yea the evidence, is inescapable — J. G. Harrison
II. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : affirmation , assent
2.
a. : an affirmative vote
b. : a person casting a yea vote