WHITHER


Meaning of WHITHER in English

I. ˈhwithə(r) also ˈwi- adverb

Etymology: Middle English whither, whider, from Old English hwider, from hwi- (akin to Latin quis who) + -der (as in hider hither) — more at who , hither

1. : to what place — used interrogatively

whither went the whistling winds

2. : to what or which place — used relatively

we came unto the land whither thou sentest us — Num 13:27 (Authorized Version)

3. : to what point, degree, end, conclusion, or design : whereunto , whereto — used interrogatively or relatively in a sense not physical

whither will this abuse drive him

nor have I … whither to appeal — John Milton

II. conjunction

Etymology: Middle English whither, whider, from Old English hwider, from hwider, adverb

: to the place at, in, or to which : where

whence I departed, whither I return — Robert Browning

III. verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle English (Scots) quhediren, quhethiren, quhidderen, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect kvidra to move rapidly to and fro, Old Norse hvitha squall of wind, Old English hwitha, hwithu air, breeze, hwīnan to make a whizzing sound — more at whine

intransitive verb

chiefly Scotland : hurry , rush , whiz , bluster

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland : to throw violently : hurl , shake

IV. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English (Scots) quhidder, from quhidderen to witinc, from wit white + -inc -ing; akin to Old English hwīt white and to blow)

chiefly Scotland : hurry , rush

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.