I. ˈwī noun
( plural y's or ys ˈwīz)
Usage: often capitalized, often attributive
1.
a. : the 25th letter of the English alphabet
b. : an instance of this letter printed, written, or otherwise represented
c. : a speech counterpart of orthographic y (as y in yard, my, city, or Swedish fyr )
2. : a printer's type, a stamp, or some other instrument for reproducing the letter y
3. : someone or something arbitrarily or conveniently designated y: as
a. : the 25th in order or class
b. : the 24th in order or class when j is not used
c. : the 22d in order or class when j, v, and w are not used
d. : the second in order or class when x is made the first
4. : something having the shape of the letter Y: as
a. : a forked holder to support the telescope of a leveling instrument or the axis of a theodolite : wye
b. : a principal railroad track and two diverging branches arranged like the letter Y that with a cross track connecting the diverging branches are used in reversing engines or trains
c. : siamese 4
5.
a. : unknown quantity 1
b. : y-coordinate
II. adjective
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: abbreviation of Young (as in Young Men's Christian Association, Young Women's Christian Association, Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association )
: of or relating to the Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Women's Christian Association, or the Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association
III. abbreviation
Usage: often capitalized
1. yard
2. year
3. yellow
4. yen
5. yeoman; yeomanry
6. younger; youngest
7. your
IV. symbol
1. unknown quantity
2. an ordinate
3. capitalized admittance
4. capitalized yttrium