Y
Y1 / wī/ (also y) • n. (pl. Ys or Y's ) 1. the twenty-fifth letter of the alphabet. ∎ denoting the next after X in a set of items, categories, etc. ∎ denoting a second unknown or unspecified person or thing: the claim that chemical X causes birth defect Y. ∎ (usu. y) the second unknown quantity in an algebraic expression, usually the dependent variable. ∎ (usu. y) denoting the secondary or vertical axis in a system of coordinates: [in comb.] the y-axis. 2. (Y) a shape like that of a capital Y: [in comb.] rows of tiny Y-shaped motifs. Y2 • abbr. ∎ yen: Y140. ∎ inf. a YMCA, YWCA, YMHA, or YWHA facility: Scott was living at the Y.• symb. the chemical element yttrium.
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