I. ˈyen noun
( plural yen )
Etymology: Japanese en
Date: 1875
— see money table
II. noun
Etymology: obsolete English argot yen-yen craving for opium, from Chinese (Guangdong) yīn-yáhn, from yīn opium + yáhn craving
Date: 1906
: a strong desire or propensity : longing
a yen for the sea
also : urge , craving
a yen for ice cream
III. intransitive verb
( yenned ; yen·ning )
Date: circa 1919
: to have an intense desire : long , yearn