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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Examples of whence in a sentence
They returned to the land whence they came.
Origin and Etymology 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
whence
Definition of whence
1 : from what place, source, or cause inquired whence the water came — Maria Edgeworth
2a : from or out of which place, source, or cause the lawless society whence the ballads sprang — DeLancey Fergusonb : by reason of which fact nothing broke— whence I infer that my bones are not yet chalky — O. W. Holmes †1935
13th Century
First Known Use of whence
13th century
WHENCE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of whence for English Language Learners
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: from where
WHENCE Defined for Kids
whence
playDefinition of whence for Students
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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