WHEN
Etymology
Adverb
when (not comparable)
(interrogative) At what time? At which time? Upon which occasion or circumstance? Used to introduce direct or indirect questions about time.
At an earlier time and under different, usually less favorable, circumstances.
(relative) At which, on which, during which: often omitted or replaced with that.
Conjunction
when
At (or as soon as) that time that; at the (or any and every) time that; if.
During the time that; at the time of the action of the following clause or participle phrase.
At what time; at which time.
Since; given the fact that; considering that.
Whereas; although; at the same time as; in spite of the fact that.
Synonyms
• (as soon as): as soon as, immediately, once
• (every time that): whenever
• (during the time that): while, whilst; see also while
• (at any time that): whenever
• (at which time)
• (given the fact that): given that, seeing that; see also because
• (in spite of the fact that): but, where, whereas
Pronoun
when
(interrogative) What time; which time.
The time that.
Noun
when (plural whens)
The time at which something happens.
Interjection
when
That's enough, a command to stop adding something, especially an ingredient of food or drink.
(obsolete) Expressing impatience. (Compare what.)
Anagrams
• hewn
Source: Wiktionary
When, adv. Etym: [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS. hwænne, hwanne,
hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG. wanne, G. wann when, wenn if,
when, Goth. hwan when, and to E. who. Who.]
1. At what time; -- used interrogatively.
When shall these things be Matt. xxiv. 3.
Note: See the Note under What, pron., 1.
2. At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or just
after, the moment that; -- used relatively.
Kings may Take their advantage when and how they list. Daniel.
Book lore ne'er served, when trial came, Nor gifts, when faith was
dead. J. H. Newman.
3. While; whereas; although; -- used in the manner of a conjunction
to introduce a dependent adverbial sentence or clause, having a
causal, conditional, or adversative relation to the principal
proposition; as, he chose to turn highwayman when he might have
continued an honest man; he removed the tree when it was the best in
the grounds.
4. Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun.
I was adopted heir by his consent; Since when, his oath is broke.
Shak.
Note: When was formerly used as an exclamation of surprise or
impatience, like what!
Come hither; mend my ruff: Here, when! thou art such a tedious lady!
J. Webster.
When as, When that, at the time that; when. [Obs.]
When as sacred light began to dawn. Milton.
When that mine eye is famished for a look. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition