Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OX'Y-TONE, n.

An acute sound.

OY'ER, n. [Norm. oyer, bearing; Fr. ouir, to hear.]

1. In law, a bearing or trial of causes. A court of oyer and terminer is constituted by a commission to inquire, hear and determine all treasons, felonies and misdemeanors. Blackstone.
2. The hearing, as of a writ, bond, note or other specialty; as when a defendant in court prays oyer of a writing. Blackstone.

OYEZ, v. [Fr. oyez, hear ye.]

This word is used by the sherif or his substitute in making proclamation in court, requiring silence and attention. It is thrice repeated, and most absurdly pronounced, O yes.

OY'LET-HOLE, n. [See EYELET-HOLE.]

OYS'TER, n. [G. auster; D. oester; Sw. ostra; Dan. öster, Fr. huitre; Arm. histrenn or eistren; Russ. ystritz; Corn. estren; L. ostrea; Gr. οστρεον; probably connected in origin with οστεον, bone, and named from its hardness.]

A bivalvular testaceous animal, found adhering to rocks or other fixed substances in salt water which is shallow, or in the mouths of rivers. Oysters are deemed nourishing and delicious food.

OYS'TER-SHELL, n.

The hard covering or shell of the oyster.

OYS'TER-WENCH, n. [or OYS'TER-WIFE, OYS'TER-WO-MAN.]

A woman whose occupation is to sell oysters; a low woman. Shak.

O-ZE'NA, n.

A fetid ulcer in the nostril.