YANKEE Definition & Meaning

Yankee

[yang-kee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a native or inhabitant of the United States.
a native or inhabitant of New England.
a native or inhabitant of a northern U.S. state, especially of one of the northeastern states that sided with the Union in the American Civil War.
a federal or northern soldier in the American Civil War.
a word used in communications to represent the letter Y.
Military.��the NATO name for a class of streamlined, nuclear-powered Soviet submarines, with 16 multiple-warhead ballistic missiles: first produced for the Soviet Navy in the 1960s; in service with the Russian Navy 1992–95.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a Yankee or Yankees.
Yankee ingenuity.

Yankee

/ ˈ��æŋ��ɪ /

noun

derogatory��a native or inhabitant of the US; American
a native or inhabitant of New England
a native or inhabitant of the Northern US, esp a Northern soldier in the Civil War
communications a code word for the letter y
finance a bond issued in the US by a foreign borrower

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Yankees

Yankee

Originally a nickname for people from New England, now applied to anyone from the United States. Even before the American Revolutionary War, the term Yankee was used by the British to refer, derisively, to the American colonists. Since the Civil War, American southerners have called all northerners Yankees. Since World War I, the rest of the world has used the term to refer to all Americans.

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The expression “Yankee, go home” reflects foreign resentment of American presence or involvement in other nations' affairs.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of Yankee¹

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90 of uncertain origin; perhaps back formation from Dutch Jan Kees “John Cheese,” nickname (mistaken for plural) applied by the Dutch of colonial New York to English settlers in Connecticut

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of Yankee¹

C18: perhaps from Dutch Jan Kees John Cheese, nickname used derisively by Dutch settlers in New York to designate English colonists in Connecticut

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In his report of the Dodgers’ 18-2 win over the Yankees, Jack Harris writes, “It was a statement, a reminder and a warning all wrapped into one.”

From

Millions of pounds worth of drugs labelled as "Yankee Candles" were posted from America to bogus addresses in south Wales, a court heard.

From

Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees had arrived in Anaheim, and the old ballpark was abuzz.

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The ball Aaron Judge dropped during the Yankees’ loss in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers fetches $43,510 at a charity auction.

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Despite taking two of three games against the Yankees, the Dodgers continue to show some worrying signs as they continue one of their toughest stretches of the season.

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yank Yankee bond

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