About The Word Why
Learn about the word Why to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Why definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.
Why
| Why Definition And Meaning |
|---|
What's The Definition Of Why?
[n] the cause or intention underlying an action or situation esp in the phrase"the whys and wherefores"
[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?") Synonyms | Synonyms for Why: how come | wherefore Related Terms | Find terms related to Why: Why In Webster's Dictionary \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.]
\Why\, n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose. |
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