Etymology Dictionary

YEA,  an affirmative adverb; verily.  (E.)   The distinction between M. E. ȝe, ȝa, yea, and ȝis, ȝes, ȝus, yes, is commonly well marked; the former is the simple affirmative, giving assent, whilst the latter is a strong asseveration, often accompanied by an oath; see Will. of Palerne, &c.   Spelt ye, Chaucer, C. T. 9219, &c.—A. S. geá, yea; John, xxi. 15. + Du., Dan., Swed., and G. ja. + Icel. já. + Goth. ja, jai.   β. The common base is YÂ, yea; Fick, iii. 243, allied to Goth. jah, O. Sax. gia, ja, A. S. ge, also, and; and to the Aryan pronominal base YA, that, that one, whence Skt. ya, who (in Benfey, p. 733, s.v. yad ), Gk. ὅs, who, which were orig. demonstratives.   The orig. sense was 'in that way,' or 'just so.'   Der. ye-s, q.v.