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whence

adverb \ 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

See whence defined for English-language learners

See whence defined for kids

Examples of whence in a Sentence

  1. 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
2

whence

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
  • nothing broke— whence I infer that my bones are not yet chalky
  • —O. W. Holmes †1935

First Known Use of whence

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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WHENCE Defined for English Language Learners

whence

adverb

Definition of whence for English Language Learners

  • : from where

WHENCE Defined for Kids

whence

adverb \ ˈhwens , ˈwens \

Definition 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.

Learn More about whence

  1. See words that rhyme with whence Spanish Central: Translation of whence Nglish: Translation of whence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of whence for Arabic speakers

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