yang
This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 14:33. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /jæŋ/[1]
Etymology
It is borrowed from Chinese 陽 (yáng), said to mean bright, male, daylight or the sun, as well as positive and the male genitals.[2][3][4]
Earliest recorded meaning
In Chinese philosophy, the masculine or positive principle: 1671.[5][2][3]
Semantic evolution
It is paired with yin, the feminine principle, as in yin and yang;[6][5] yang-yin is recorded from 1959.[5]
Timeline
Modern meaning
Noun
- In Chinese philosophy, the active, masculine, positive principle, which with yin makes up the universe.
Related words
- yin
- tao
Usage notes
In Berkshire and Devon dialect to yang was to say irritating things, to mock.[7]
References
- ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
- ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
- ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)