yes
yes
UK[jes]US[jes]
interj
used to give an affirmative response or to express agreement.
n
an affirmative answer or decision, especially in voting.
Etymology
the word 'yes' originates from old english, evolving from the phrase 'gēa sīe', which was a compound of 'gēa' (yea) and the subjunctive form of 'bēon' (to be), meaning 'so be it' or 'may it be so'. this phrase was used to express strong affirmation or assent. over time, it contracted into forms like 'gēse' and eventually simplified to the modern 'yes', shedding its explicit verbal morphology. its journey reflects a common linguistic process where a full phrasal expression condenses into a single, indispensable particle for affirmation in the english language.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from old english 'gēse' or 'gīse', likely a contraction of 'gēa sīe' meaning 'may it be so'.
Examples
when asked if he understood, he simply said "yes."
the proposal passed with fifteen yeses and only two nos.
"would you like some coffee?" "yes, please."