4 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Why \Why\, n.
A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Why \Why\, adv [OE. whi, why, AS hw[=i], hw?, instrumental
case of hw[=a], hw[ae]t; akin to Icel. hv[=i] why, Dan. & Sw
hvi; cf Goth. hw?. ?. See {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.]
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
why
n : the cause or intention underlying an action or situation esp
in the phrase "the whys and wherefores" [syn: {wherefore}]
adv : question word what is the reason; "why are you here?";
(`how come' is a nonstandard variant as in "how come he
got an ice cream cone but I didn't?") [syn: {how come}]
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Why, AZ
Zip code(s): 85321
more about why
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