I. ˈhwen(t)s, ˈwen(t)s adverb
Etymology: Middle English whennes, from whenne whence (from Old English hwanon ) + -s, adverb suffix, from -s, genitivesingular ending; akin to Old High German hwanān whence, Old English hwā who
Date: 13th century
: from what place, source, or cause
then whence comes this paradox — Changing Times
•
- from whence
II. conjunction
Date: 13th century
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