Word Study
you
CIDE DICTIONARY
you, pron. [OE. you, eou, eow, dat. & acc., AS. eów, used as dat. & acc. of ge, g, ye; akin to OFries. iu, io, D. u, G. euch, OHG. iu, dat., iuwih, acc., Icel. y, dat. & acc., Goth. izwis; of uncertain origin. 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. [1913 Webster]
" 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. " [1913 Webster]
"Ye go to Canterbury; God you speed." [1913 Webster]
"Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you
To leave this place." [1913 Webster]
To leave this place." [1913 Webster]
"In vain you tell your parting lover
You wish fair winds may waft him over." [1913 Webster]
You wish fair winds may waft him over." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
you, pron. (obj. you; poss. your, yours)
1 used with reference to the person or persons addressed or one such person and one or more associated persons.
2 (as int. with a noun) in an exclamatory statement (you fools!).
3 (in general statements) one, a person, anyone, or everyone (it's bad at first, but you get used to it).
1 used with reference to the person or persons addressed or one such person and one or more associated persons.
2 (as int. with a noun) in an exclamatory statement (you fools!).
3 (in general statements) one, a person, anyone, or everyone (it's bad at first, but you get used to it).
Idiom
you-all US colloq. you (usu. more than one person). you and yours you together with your family, property, etc. you-know-what (or -who) something or someone unspecified but understood.
Etymology
OE eow accus. & dative of ge YE(1) f. WG: supplanting ye because of the more frequent use of the obj. case, and thou and thee as the more courteous form
THESAURUS
you
I, I myself, alter, alter ego, alterum, better self, ego, ethical self, he, her, herself, him, himself, inner man, inner self, it, me, my humble self, myself, number one, oneself, other self, ourselves, self, she, subconscious self, subliminal self, superego, them, themselves, they, yours truly, yourself, yourselvesFor further exploring for "you" in Webster Dictionary Online
