“you” – English explanatory dictionary

pron 1. referring to someone being spoken to ○ Are you ready? ○ You look tired, you should rest a bit. ○ If I give you my address will you give me yours? ○ Hello, how are you? ○ Are you both keeping well? 2. referring to anyone ○ You never know when you might need a penknife. ○ You have to be very tall to be a policeman. 3. addressing someone directly ○ You with the red scarf over there, I need to see your ticket! ○ Hey you! leave my bicycle alone. (NOTE: You is both singular and plural.)

(u), pron. [Possess. Your (ur) or Yours (urz); dat. & obj. You.] [OE. you, eou, eow, dat. & acc., AS. eów, used as dat. & acc. of ge, ge, ye; akin to OFries. iu, io, D. u, G. euch, OHG. iu, dat., iuwih, acc., Icel. yðr, dat. & acc., Goth. izwis; of uncertain origin. rad.189. Cf. Your.] The pronoun of the second person, in the nominative, dative, and objective case, indicating the person or persons addressed. See the Note under Ye. “Ye go to Canterbury; God you speed.” Chaucer. “Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you
To leave this place.” Shak. “In vain you tell your parting lover
You wish fair winds may waft him over.” Prior. Though you is properly a plural, it is in all ordinary discourse used also in addressing a single person, yet properly always with a plural verb. ´Are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, wherein Rosalind is so admired ?´ Shak. You and your are sometimes used indefinitely, like we, they, one, to express persons not specified. ´The looks at a distance like a new-plowed land; but as you come near it, you see nothing but a long heap of heavy, disjointed clods.´ Addison. ´Your medalist and critic are much nearer related than the world imagine.´ Addison. ´It is always pleasant to be forced to do what you wish to do, but what, until pressed, you dare not attempt.´ Hook. You is often used reflexively for yourself of yourselves. ´Your highness shall repose you at the tower.´ Shak.