[wheth.er] pron [ME, fr. OE hwaether, hwether; akin to OHG hwedar which of two, L uter, Gk poteros, OE hwa who--more at who] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: which one of the two
2. archaic: whichever one of the two
[2]whether conj (bef. 12c)--used as a function word usu. with correlative or or with or whether to indicate (1) until the early 19th century a direct question involving alternatives; (2) an indirect question involving stated or implied alternatives "decide ~ he should agree or raise objections" "wondered ~ to stay"; (3) alternative conditions or possibilities "see me no more, ~ he be dead or no --Shak." "seated him next to her ~ by accident or design" -- whether or no or whether or not : in any case