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why |
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
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