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Whether
Definitions
- 1 Introduces a simple indirect question (without a correlative).
"Whether we'll be on time I'm unsure."
- 2 Indicates doubt between possibilities (usually with correlative or).
"He chose the correct answer, but whether by luck or by skill I don't know."
- 3 Introduces a disjunctive adverbial clause qualifying the main clause (with correlative or).
"He's coming, whether you like it or not."
- 4 Introduces a direct question between alternatives (often with correlative or). obsolete
"whether ys it easyer to saye to the sicke of the palsey, thy synnes ar forgeven the: or to saye, aryse, take uppe thy beed and walke?"
- 1 Which of two. obsolete
"But to whether side fortune would have been partial could not be determined."
- 1 Which of two. obsolete
"The debite answered and sayde unto them: whether of the twayne will ye that I lett loosse unto you?"
Etymology
From Middle English whether, whather, from Old English hweþer, hwæþer, from Proto-West Germanic *hwaþar, from Proto-Germanic *hwaþeraz, comparative form of *hwaz (“who”). Cognate with North Frisian weđer (“if, whether”), German weder (“neither”), Swedish var (“each, every”), Icelandic hvor (“each of two, which of two”).
From Middle English whether, whather, from Old English hweþer, hwæþer, from Proto-West Germanic *hwaþar, from Proto-Germanic *hwaþeraz, comparative form of *hwaz (“who”). Cognate with North Frisian weđer (“if, whether”), German weder (“neither”), Swedish var (“each, every”), Icelandic hvor (“each of two, which of two”).
From Middle English whether, whather, from Old English hweþer, hwæþer, from Proto-West Germanic *hwaþar, from Proto-Germanic *hwaþeraz, comparative form of *hwaz (“who”). Cognate with North Frisian weđer (“if, whether”), German weder (“neither”), Swedish var (“each, every”), Icelandic hvor (“each of two, which of two”).
See also for "whether"
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Unscramble this word: whether