A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Y, I, prefix. (ME and e.m.E. y- (13th c.), reduced form of OE ᵹe- (see OED s.v. Y- prefix for a detailed account of its history). Common in Doug., in imitation of southern Eng. poetic models. Also, in Quare Jel., used for metrical effect (e.g. Yslawe p.p., Ysuffering pres. p.).
