whence

¹whence

adv \ˈhwen(t)s, ˈwen(t)s\

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>

Examples of WHENCE

1. They returned to the land whence they came.

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

First Known Use: 13th century