WHY

why, wherefore

(noun) the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase ‘the whys and wherefores’

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Adverb

why (not comparable)

For what cause, reason, or purpose (interrogative adverb).

Introducing a complete question.

Introducing a verb phrase (bare infinitive clause).

Introducing a noun or other phrase.

For which cause, reason, or purpose (relative adverb).

Synonyms

• how come, wherefore, to what end

Noun

why (plural whies)

reason

Synonyms

• wherefore

Interjection

why

An exclamation used to express indignation, mild surprise, or impatience.

Etymology 2

Noun

why (plural whies)

(UK, dialect) A young heifer.

Anagrams

• hwy, hwy.

Source: Wiktionary


Why, adv. Etym: [OE. whi, why, AS. hwi, hw, instrumental case of hwa, hwæt; akin to Icel. hvi why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw. Who.]

1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; -- used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively. No ground of enmity between us known Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm. Milton. Turn the discourse; I have a reason why I would not have you speak so tenderly. Dryden.

3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; -- used as a compound relative.

Note: Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. "Why, Jessica!" Shak. If her chill heart I can not move, Why, I'll enjoy the very love. Cowley. Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun. The how and the why and the where. Goldsmith. For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]

Why, n.

Definition: A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 December 2024

QUANDONG

(noun) Australian tree having hard white timber and glossy green leaves with white flowers followed by one-seeded glossy blue fruit


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the most massive cup of coffee contained 22,739.14 liters and was created by Alcaldía Municipal de Chinchiná (Colombia) at Parque de Bolívar, Chinchiná, Caldas, Colombia, on 15 June 2019. Fifty people worked for more than a month to build this giant cup. The drink prepared was Arabic coffee.

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