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whence |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Whence \Whence\, adv [OE. whennes, whens (with adverbial s, properly a genitive ending; -- see {-wards}), also whenne, whanene AS hwanan, hwanon hwonan hwanone akin to D. when See {When}, and cf {Hence}, {Thence}.] 1. From what place hence from what or which source, origin, antecedent, premise, or the like how -- used interrogatively. Whence hath this man this wisdom? --Matt. xiii. 54. Whence and what art thou? --Milton. 2. From what or which place source, material, cause etc.; the place source, etc., from which -- used relatively. Grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends. --Milton. Note: All the words of this class, whence, where whither, whereabouts, etc., are occasionally used as pronouns by a harsh construction. O, how unlike the place from whence they fell? --Milton. Note: From whence, though a pleonasm, is fully authorized by the use of good writers. From whence come wars and fightings among you? --James iv 1. Of whence, also a pleonasm, has become obsolete. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: whence adv : from what place or origin or source; "whence did he come?"; "whence comes this splendid feast?"; "sketches the lawless society whence the ballads sprang"-DeLancey Ferguson [syn: {wherefrom}]
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