/hoohz/ , pron.
1. (the possessive case of who used as an adjective): Whose umbrella did I take? Whose is this one?
2. (the possessive case of which used as an adjective): a word whose meaning escapes me; an animal whose fur changes color.
3. the one or ones belonging to what person or persons: Whose painting won the third prize?
[ bef. 900; ME whos, early ME hwas; r. hwas, OE hwaes, gen. of hwa WHO ]
Usage . Sometimes the phrase of which is used as the possessive of which: Chicago is a city of which the attractions are many or Chicago is a city the attractions of which are many. The use of this phrase can often seem awkward or pretentious, whereas WHOSE sounds more idiomatic: Chicago is a city whose attractions are many.