1 from whence | Definition of from whence

whence

adverb
\ ˈhwen(t)s How to pronounce whence (audio) , ˈwen(t)s\

Definition of whence

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: from what place, source, or cause then whence comes this paradoxChanging Times
from whence
: from what place, source, or cause no one could tell me from whence the gold had come— Graham Greene

whence

conjunction

Definition of whence (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : from what place, source, or cause inquired whence the water came— Maria Edgeworth
2a : from or out of which place, source, or cause the lawless society whence the ballads sprang— DeLancey Ferguson
b : by reason of which fact nothing broke— whence I infer that my bones are not yet chalky— O. W. Holmes †1935

Examples of whence in a Sentence

Adverb

They returned to the land whence they came.

First Known Use of whence

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for whence

Adverb

Middle English whennes, from whenne whence (from Old English hwanon) + -s, adverb suffix, from -s, genitive singular ending; akin to Old High German hwanān whence, Old English hwā who

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More Definitions for whence

whence

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of whence

old-fashioned + literary : from where

whence

adverb
\ ˈhwens How to pronounce whence (audio) , ˈwens\

Kids Definition of whence

1 : from what place, source, or cause Whence come all these questions?
2 : from or out of which We knew little of the land whence they came.

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