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Added 10 October 2026

wye

/ˈwaɪ/ noun

In Latin: ȳ Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about wye at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The name of the Latin script letter Y/y.
A Y-shaped object: a wye level, wye-connected. Especially a Y-shaped connection of three sections of road or railroad track.
A wye is used to split a single line [hose or cable] into two lines.

verb

To make something into a wye (letter Y) shape.
When a hose line is divided into two or more lines, these lines are known as wyed lines.
To reverse the direction of a train using a wye.
Since the train didn't have a control cab at the other end, they wyed the train to turn it around for the trip back to the city.

Origin

Attested as wi c. 1200. Of uncertain origin. Perhaps borrowed from Old French ui or gui.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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