I. hwer-ˈaz, wer-, (ˌ)(h)wər- conjunction
Etymology: Middle English where as, from where + as
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : while on the contrary
b. : although
2. : in view of the fact that : since — used especially to introduce a preamble
II. noun
Date: 1795
1. : an introductory statement of a formal document : preamble
2. : a conditional or qualifying statement