First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1whence
adverb \ˈhwen(t)s, ˈwen(t)s\
: from where
Full Definition of WHENCE
: from what place, source, or cause <then whence comes this paradox — Changing Times>
— from whence
: from what place, source, or cause <no one could tell me from whence the gold had come — Graham Greene>
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Origin of WHENCE
Middle English whennes, from whenne whence (from Old English hwanon) + -s, adverb suffix, from -s, genitive singular ending; akin to Old High German hwanān whence, Old English hwā who
2whence
conjunction
Definition of WHENCE
1
: from what place, source, or cause <inquired whence the water came — Maria Edgeworth>
2
a : from or out of which place, source, or cause <the lawless society whence the ballads sprang — DeLancey Ferguson> b : by reason of which fact : wherefore <nothing broke— whence I infer that my bones are not yet chalky — O. W. Holmes †1935>
First Known Use of WHENCE
13th century
WHENCE Defined for Kids
whence
adverb \ˈhwens, ˈwens\
Definition of WHENCE for Kids
1
: from what place, source, or cause <Whence come all these questions?>
2
: from or out of which <We knew little of the land whence they came.>
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