What pron., a.¹, adv., conj., int. (sb.)

Forms: 1 hwæt, huæt, huæd, 1–4 hwet, 2–4 hwat, wet, 2–5 wat, 3 (Orm.) watt, whæt, wæt, (waht, wæht, whæht, weht, ȝwat), 3–4 whet, 4 huet, wad), 3 (Orm.), 5 whatt, 3–6 whate, (5 whad, wath), 5–6 whatte, (9 dial. or vulgar wot), 3– what; 3–5 north. quat, (3 quuat, 4–5 quatt, qwat, 5 qhat), 4–8 Sc. quhat. [OE. hwæt = OFris. hwet, wet, haet, hat, etc. (Fris. wæt, wat, wut, haet, etc.), OS. huat, (M)LG., (M)Du. wat, OHG. hwaʓ, waʓ (MHG. waȥ, G. was), ON. hvat (Sw. vad, Da. hvad), Goth. hwa:—OTeut. *χwat:—Indo-eur. *q^wod (cf. L. quod), neut. sing. of the interrog. pron. *q^wos WHO, q.v.]

  Of the various possible arrangements of the uses of this word the following has been adopted as likely to be most convenient to the reader. The main classification is according to meaning: Branch A. comprises the uses of what as an Interrogative, B. as an Exclamatory word, C. as a Relative, D. as an Indefinite (non-relative), and E. as a Substantive. Within these divisions meanings and uses are arranged according to the part of speech; the following is a key to this arrangement:—Pronominal and substantival uses, A. 1–12, B. 6, C. 1–7, D. 1, E. 1–3; Adjectival, A. 13–18, B. 5, C. 8–10; Adverbial or Conjunctional, A. 19–21, B. 4, C. 11–12, D. 2; Interjectional, B. 1–3.

  A.  Interrogative and allied uses.

  I.  pron. * In direct questions.

  1.  As the ordinary interrogative pronoun of neuter gender, orig. sing., in later use also pl., used of a thing or things: corresponding to the demonstrative that (THAT dem. pron. B. 1 a).

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., xvi. § 1. Hwæt mæʓ ic þy mare secgan be þæm weorðscipe … þisse worulde?

971.  Blickl. Hom., 15. Hwæt wilt þu þæt ic þe do?

a. 1000.  Sal. & Sat., xix. (1848), 184. Hwæt hatte Noes wif?

c. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 233. Unwraste man, wat lacede ȝeu an alle mire rice?

c. 1200.  Ormin, 10970. Whatt wass þatt te Faderr sellf Þær off hiss Sune seȝȝde?

c. 1205.  Lay., 3004. Waet seist tu? Ibid., 29623–4. Whæt þenchest þu, Austin, what þenchest þu, leof min?

12[?].  Moral Ode, 46 (Egerton MS.). Wet sulle hi segge oþer don at þe muchele dome?

1340.  Ayenb., 265. Sleȝþe zayþ, ‘God, wet ssolle we do?’

a. 1400.  Pistill of Susan, 287. What signefyes, gode sone, þese sawus þat þou seis?

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 50. Þe furste question was þis, What was þe grellest mervayle & fayrest þing þat evur God made in leste rowme?

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, VI. xiv. 205. What is your broders name?

c. 1485.  Digby Myst., III. 1249. Qwat sey ȝe?

1560.  Bible (Geneva), Ezra v. 4. What are the names of the men…? Ibid., Zech. xiii. 6. What are these woundes in thine hands?

1582.  Allen, Martyrdom Campion (1908), 65. One demaunded, ‘What do you meane by Catholike Religion?’

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, X. 949. What will they say of their deserting Chief?

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII. xii. ‘Nubbing Cheat,’ cries Partridge, ‘pray, Sir, what is that?’ Ibid., xv. xii. ‘What is the Name of the Street?’ cries Jones.

1782.  Miss Burney, Cecilia, VII. ii. Odd people? and in what are we so very odd?

1853.  Miss Yonge, Heir of Redclyffe, xxv. What has come to you?

1863.  Thackeray, Round. Papers, Autour de mon Chapeau. What are the technical words…?

1884.  W. S. Gilbert, Princ. Ida, II. Flo. But what are these? Hil. … Why, Academic robes, Worn by the lady undergraduates, When they matriculate.

1905.  R. Bagot, Passport, xx. I do not find the female society of Montefiano very—what shall I say?—sharpening to the intellect.

  2.  Of a person (or persons), in predicative use (cf. THAT dem. pron. B. 1 b): formerly generally, in reference to name or identity, and thus equivalent to who; in later use only in reference to nature, character, function, or the like. Also in phr. † what for a … = what kind of: see FOR prep. 19 c.

  For the OE. construction with a partitive gen. see 13.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), xxiii[i]. 10. Hwæt is se ʓewuldroda kyning? [L. Quis est iste rex gloriæ?]

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. xxvii. 32. Þa cwæð Isaac: Hwæt eart þu? He andwirde and cwæð: Ic eom Esau.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 167. Hwat is þis þe astihȝð alse dai rieme?

c. 1205.  Lay., 25869. Whæt ært þu, fiere wiht [MS. whit]? eært þu angel, eært [þu] cnih[t]? Ibid., 27372. What beoð þeos ut-laȝen?

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3685. ‘And quat art þou?’ þe fader said, ‘Sir, i esau, þi met es graithid.’ Ibid., 13592. ‘Quat haldes þou þat man?’ said þai. ‘A prophet,’ said he.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 15. ‘What is þis wommon,’ quod I, ‘þus wonderliche A-tyret?’

c. 1400.  Sowdone Bab., 1623. What be ye, That make here this ruly moone?

c. 1430, c. 1440, 1470–85.  [see HIGHT v.¹ B. 5 β b, d].

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, iv. 120. What ben ye, lordes, that are soo countrefayt, are ye paynemes, or of what countrey ben ye?

1526.  Tindale, Rev. vii. 13. What are these which are arayed in longe whyte garmentes?

a. 1596.  Sir T. More, I. i. 47. What art thou that talkest of reuendge?

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. ii. 62. Tra. What is he Biondello? Bion. Master, a Marcantant, or a pedant, I know not what. Ibid. (1604), Oth., I. i. 94. Bra. … What are you? Rod. My name is Rodorigo.

1691.  in J. Russell, Haigs (1881), 325. For it is not now as it was of old, What is he?… but, What has he?

1753.  Foote, Englishm. in Paris, I. i. Buck. … And what are you, hey? Barb. Je suis Peruquier, Monsieur.

1781.  Cowper, Hope, 497. What were they? what some fools are made by art, They were by nature, atheists.

1850.  Dickens, Uncomm. Trav., v. ‘You noticed that young man, sir, in at Darby’s?’ ‘Yes. What is he?’ ‘Deserter, sir.’

1871.  Tennyson, Last Tourn., 755. About his feet A voice clung sobbing till he question’d it, ‘What art thou?’

  3.  In rhetorical questions, implying an emphatic contrary assertion.

  What am I but…? is equivalent to ‘I am nothing but…,’ What did he (do) but…? to ‘He actually did…,’ What can he not do? to ‘He can do anything.’

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., I. 346. Hwæt sind þas buton ðrymsetl heora Scyppendes, on ðam ðe he wuniʓende mannum demð?

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 17. Hwet halt þe wredðe?

1340.  Ayenb., 137. Huet am ich bote esssse and spearken?

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, III. 546. What did this Eolus but be Toke out hys blake trumpe of bras.

c. 1440.  Lydg., Hors, Shepe & G., 429. What but thi wolle was cause of al the striff?

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., xl. 159. What dude he but purveyde him of so muche mony?

1535.  Coverdale, 2 Esdras xvi. 5. Plages are sent vnto you, & what is he that wyl dryue them awaye?

1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 414. What could he see but mightily he noted? What did he note, but strongly he desired?

1599.  Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, 48. What did me he, but … chopt aloft.

1611.  Bible, Judges xiv. 18. What is sweeter then honie? and what is stronger then a Lion?

1681.  Dryden, Abs. & Achit., I. 303. What cannot Praise effect in Mighty Minds?

1780.  Mirror, No. 96, ¶ 6. Give a young woman admiration, and what more can she wish for?

1798.  Wordsw., We are Seven, 4. A simple Child, That lightly draws its breath,… What should it know of death?

1866.  Geo. Eliot, Ess. (1884), 329. What else is the meaning of our Trades-Unions?

  b.  In predicative quasi-adj. use: Of what account, consequence, value or force?

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, cxliii[i]. 3. Quid est homo quia innotuisti ei? hwet is monn ðæt ðu cuðades him?

1388.  Wyclif, 2 Sam. vii. 18. Who am Y, my Lord God, and what is myn hows, that thou brouȝtist me hidur to?

1546.  J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 77. What is a woorkman, without his tooles?

1734.  Pope, Ess. Man, IV. 237. What’s Fame? a fancy’d life in others’ breath.

1781.  Cowper, Truth, 107. Your sentence and mine differ. What’s a name?

1841.  Browning, Pippa Passes, III. ad fin. (Song), What’s death? You’ll love me yet!

1851.  Househ. Words, 6 Sept., 553/1. What are my strength and weight compared with that one pillar?

1885.  ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, ix. I am an Englishman of unblemished character. What would your assertion be against mine?

  4.  a. With ellipsis, esp. of the remainder of the question; hence (colloq.) short for ‘What did you say?’ or ‘What is it?’

13[?].  Seuyn Sag. (W.), 2193. ‘On the falle … swich a maner vileynie, As hadde the burgeis for his pie.’ ‘O, maister, he saide, what? what? I the praie, tel me that.’

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., iv. 183. Isaac. A, good sir, abide; ffader! Abraham. What son? Isaac. to do youre will I am redy.

1534.  More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. Wks. 1224/1. Why wife quod her housebande what woulde you doe? What? by God goe forwarde with the beste.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 165. What when we fled amain … and besought The Deep to shelter us?

1834.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Steam Excurs. ‘Oh! oh!—I’m so frightened!’ ’What at, dear?—what at?’ said the mother. Ibid. (1837), Pickw., xix. ‘What’s your name?’ ‘Cold punch,’ murmured Mr. Pickwick, as he sunk to sleep again. ‘What?’ demanded Captain Boldwig. No reply.

1898.  Ménie Muriel Dowie, Crook of Bough, i. 5. ‘That ’s a queer start o’ young Sam’s,’ said one voice. ‘Wot is?’ said another.

  b.  Substituted for a word or phrase of which explanation is asked.

1676.  Shadwell, Virtuoso, I. 11. Sir Sam. Gad I’ll do’t instantly, in the twinkling of a Bed-staff…. Bruce. In the twinkling of what?

a. 1814.  Manœuvring, I. i. in New Brit. Theatre, II. 78. Sure enough, my lady’s the greatest policizer under the sun. Kit. Polly what?

1825.  T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Passion & Princ., xi. III. 218. ‘Here, Sir, take away the Tiffin.’ ‘The what, Sir Frederick?’ said the principal waiter. ‘The Tiffin, Sir,’ repeated his Excellency, in a voice of thunder.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xlii. ‘Your chummage ticket will be on twenty-seven, in the third.’ ‘Oh,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘My what, did you say?’

1880.  Mrs. Parr, Adam & Eve, II. 47–8. ‘Because——’
  ‘Because what?’…
  ‘Because you’ve——’ but before the sentence could be finished, Eve had flown upstairs.

  c.  As an interrogative expletive (sometimes with eh) usually at the end of a sentence, esp. in recent trivial or affected colloq. use.

1785.  Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, 19 Dec. He [sc. George III.] said, ‘What? what?’—meaning, what say you?… ‘it is not possible. Do you think it is?—what?’

1850.  Househ. Words, 16 Nov., 177/2. What is all that about the—eh—what—law of ex—what?—pansion—eh?

c. 1891.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Lumley, xv. But then, she’s so beastly chic, dontcherknow—eh, what!

1906.  Charlotte Mansfield, Girl & Gods, xvi. Good-bye, Miss Thornton, awfully jolly evening—what?

1914.  A. N. Lyons, Simple Simon, I. i. 16. Can’t say I’ve read it. It’s a bit too literary for me. What? But they say it’s jolly clever. You had it at school, I dare say. What?

  5.  Phrases. a. In elliptical phr. with adv., conj., or prep., the precise sense of which varies with and may usually be inferred from the context or circumstances: cf. defs. below.

  † What else? what else should be the case?; used as an emphatic affirmative reply: = certainly! † What for-thy? what of that? (see FOR-THY conj. b); also parenthetically as advb. phr. = in spite of that, nevertheless. What if († what and, what an(d if arch.)…? what is or would be the case if…? what will or would happen if…? what does it matter if…? etc.; often expressing a hypothesis or proposal: = ‘suppose…,’ ‘supposing….’ What of...? what is to be said of….? what do you think of…? what comes of or follows from…? etc. What then? what happens or would happen in that case? what of that? (see THEN adv. 4); so What next? What though...? (somewhat arch.) what happens or would happen in view of the fact that, or on the supposition that…? (nearly = what if...?, but implying some opposition between the circumstance mentioned and the possible one implied: cf. THOUGH 4); † also absol. what though? what if it is (or were) so? what does it matter? what then? See also WHAT-NOT.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 8105. Acc whatt forrþi nass þatt nohht don.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 18/591. ‘Ȝwat nou?’ quath þis bolde maister: ‘ȝwy ne habbe ȝe him i-brouȝt?’

c. 1420.  Wyclif’s Bible, Pref. Ep. St. Jerome, ii. 63. What if thilk beest ȝe hadden herd tellinge his owne wordis!

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 74. Saynt Basil sayd; ‘what & I dye nott or to-morn?’

1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xvi. (1555), K j. What thoughe quod he, draw you not abacke.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, IV. Prol. 200. Quhat of bewte, quhar honestie lyis deid?

1564.  [see THEN adv. 4].

1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., IV. iv. 9. What and if His sorrowes haue so ouerwhelm’d his wits? Ibid. (1590), Mids. N., I. i. 228. I am thought as faire as she. But what of that? Demetrius thinkes not so.

1591.  Lyly, Midas, IV. iii. Pet. Wel, tis hard to haue ones browes imbroidered with bugle. Licio. But canst thou blowe it? Hunts. What els? Min. But not away.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., III. iii. 51. Heere wee haue no Temple but the wood…. But what though? Courage.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 174. What if all Her stores were op’n’d, and this Firmament Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire.

1742.  Pope, Dunc., IV. 255. What tho’ we let some better sort of fool Thrid ev’ry science, run thro’ ev’ry school?

1766.  Goldsm., Vicar W., xx. My ship sails to-morrow;… what if you go in her as a passenger?

1819.  Keats, Otho, I. i. To me! What of me, ha?

1827.  Heber, Hymn, ‘From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,’ ii. What though the spicy breezes Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle…. In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of God are strown.

1847.  C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, xix. But if … they … dropped off and left me one by one, what then?

1876.  Browning, Fears & Scruples, x. What and if your friend at home play tricks?

1889.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Mrs. Bob, ii. ‘Did anybody tell you about the Manor Lodge?’ ‘No, not a word; what about it?’

1914.  ‘Ian Hay,’ Knt. on Wheels, xiii. § 5. Game and rubber…! Now, what about bed?

  b.  In various other phr. (See also 8, 10, 11.)

  † What is thee? (THEE pron. 1 b), what is the matter with thee? † What lack you? or what do you lack? [LACK v.¹ 3], a salesman’s cry; hence as an appellation for an itinerant vendor or pedlar. What say you (mod. what do you say) to...? what think you (mod. what do you think) of...? are you inclined for…? how would you like…? What’s my thought? a guessing game (the same as Yes and No: see YES 1 b). See also WHAT-D’YE-CALL, WHAT’S-HIS-NAME.

  1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2720. Þo sede on to an oþer, merlin, wat is þe? Þou faderlese ssrewe, wy misdostou me?

c. 1300.  Havelok, 1951. Bernard, hwat is þe? Hwo haues þe þus ille maked?

  1589.  Greene, Menaphon, Wks. (Grosart), VI. 14. A secular wit that hath liued all daies of his life by what doo you lacke.

1597.  Breton, Wit’s Trenchmour, Wks. (Grosart), II. 16/2. The sonne of What lacke you, was become the onely right worshipfull.

1614.  J. Cooke, Greene’s Tu Quoque, B 1. What lacke you sir? faire stuffes or veluets?

1663.  Killigrew, Parson’s Wedd., I. i. His Father was a … Pedler, a what do you lack, Sir.

  1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. iii. 17. What say you to a Neats foote?

1649.  Dk. Newcastle, Country Capt., II. i. 23. Betweene us too, what thinke you of a wench?

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, X. iv. ‘What think you of some Eggs and Bacon, Madam?,’ said the Landlady.

1793.  Cowper, Beau’s Reply, 27. What think you, Sir, of killing Time With verse address’d to me?

  1847.  Tennyson, Princess, Prol. 188. We … like as many girls … play’d Charades … And what’s my thought and when and where and how.

  ¶  But what? (a Gallicism = mais quoi?): but, after all.

1586.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. 59. Ye shall have verie few, but saie, that they are enimies to evill…. But what? As they never knew what goodnes ment, so they know as litle of the contrarie.

1605.  Erondelle, Fr. Gard., N 7 b. O Marguerite!… thou hast beene heeretofore greatly esteemed in France, but what? all other thinges doe wither,… as well as flowers.

  ** In dependent clauses. (In early use occas. followed by that (THAT conj. 6).)

  Here the interrogative force varies according to the nature of the principal clause; after verbs or phrases of asking, wondering, or the like, the dependent clause is more or less explicitly an indirect question (e.g., ‘I asked him what he meant’ = ‘I asked him “What do you mean?”’); after verbs or phrases of knowing, saying, or the like, it is only implicitly so, but the sense is essentially the same, and is to be distinguished from the compound relative (= ‘that which’: see C. I.* below), which however it sometimes closely approaches, the construction being often identical; cf. ‘I did not know what he meant’ (which implies the mental question ‘What did he mean?’) with ‘I did not bear what he said’ (where what simply = ‘that which’).

  The dependent clause may by inversion of construction become a subject-clause: e.g., ‘What he meant was unknown to me’ = ‘I did not know what he meant.’ (Cf. quot. 1766 s.v. HOW adv. 8 a.)

  6.  In indirect questions, and clauses of similar meaning (see remarks above): corresponding to the direct use in 1. Of a thing: either (a) in finite clause, or (b) as obj. of a following infinitive (cf. TO prep. B. 16).

735.  Bæda, Death song, 4. To ymbhycggannae … huaet his gastae … doemid uueorthae.

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., lii. 405. He … him ʓetæhte hwæt hi on ðæm don sceolden, hwæt ne scolden.

1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1137. Nu we willen sæʓen sumdel wat belamp on Stephnes kinges time.

a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 79. He wat wet þenkeð and hwet doð alle quike wihte.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 2904. Josæp … mikell ummbeþohhte, Off whatt himm wære bettst to don. Ibid., 2992, 3. Þatt birrþ uss lokenn whatt itt iss & whatt itt wile seggenn.

c. 1205.  Lay., 25334. Ær heom mihte iwurðen waht heo don wolde.

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1441. Hit nuste neauer hwat hit was.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 11/350. He … Axede heom of þe croyz ȝwat were þe tokningue.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 9249. To loke wat were best to do.

1340.  Ayenb., 264. Me him acseþ huo he ys, huannes he comþ, huet he heþ ysoȝe.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 3. What schal befalle hierafterward God wot.

1450.  Paston Lett., Suppl. (1901), 31. Qhat the cawse is I wote nott.

1501.  Douglas, Pal. Hon., I. lxii. He demandit my answer, quhat I said?

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 7. It is neidful first to ane seik man to knaw quhat is his seiknes.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 89. Demaunding of them what the matter was.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., III. i. 160. O thou knowest not what it is. Ibid. (1601), Twel. N., III. iii. 9. Iealousie, what might befall your trauell.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 1346. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XV. vii. No to be sure, it signifies nothing what becomes of them.

1773.  Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., II. i. I believe they are in actual consultation upon what’s for supper.

1782.  Miss Burney, Cecilia, X. ii. Something strange … must have happened, but what, she had no means to know.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 540. What such a force … could effect … was proved, a few years later, at Killiecrankie.

1850.  Househ. Words, 15 June, 285/1. It will be time enough then to think what next.

1889.  Stevenson, Master of Ballantrae, vi. 186. Has it never come in upon your mind what you are doing?

1891.  Speaker, 2 May, 532/2. The Socialist no longer thinks of dictating to society what it ought to be.

  (b)  c. 1400.  R. Gloucester’s Chron. (Rolls), 9237 (MS. B.). Hii nuste wat to do.

1581.  Marbeck, Bk. Notes, 1171. Haue alwaies what to doe in your hands.

1624.  Capt. J. Smith, Virginia, I. 16. We tooke more Cod then we knew what to doe with.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, IV. 423. Jove will inspire him, when, and what to say.

1713.  Berkeley, Hylas & Phil., I. (1725), 47. I know not what to think of it.

1883.  D. C. Murray, Hearts, ii. Cousin Mark was not burdened with more money than he knew what to do with.

  7.  Of a person, in predicative use (with distinctions of sense as in 2).

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxi. 158. Ðonne eow misliciað þa medtrymnessa þe ʓe on oðrum monnum ʓesioð, ðonne ʓeðence ʓe hwæt ʓe sien & hwelce ʓe sien.

c. 1290.  St. Brandan, 627, in S. Eng. Leg., 237. Ich eschte him ȝwat he were. He seide, ‘ich am þin Abbot.’

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 919. Þe king eschte wat hii were.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4931. Þe folk asked quat þai suld be, ‘Theues,’ coth ioseph.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Can. Yeom. Prol. & T., 63. Is he a clerk or noon? telle what he is.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Blanchardyn, xxvi. 99. The kynge, that gretli desired to knowe of his estate, asked of hym what he was, of what lande and of what lynage.

1542.  Udall, Erasm. Apoph., Table X iij. Athlete [= -æ], what they be that are so called.

1596.  [see 2].

1604.  Shaks., Oth., IV. i. 74. And knowing what I am, I know what she shallbe.

1605.  in Dixon, Tower (1870), II. xi. 104. To ansoure to formall interrogatours … as quhat he is, for I can neuer yett heare of any man that knowis him.

1697.  Dampier, Voy., I. 301. To write a Letter to the Governor, to inform him what we were, and on what account we came.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VI. 1194. He … ask’d his airy Guide, What, and of whence was he.

1832.  Disraeli, Cont. Fleming, vii. I was to be something great, and glorious, and dazzling; but what, we could not determine.

1854.  R. S. Surtees, Handley Cr., ii. Who or what he was,… no one ever cared to inquire.

  8.  Phrases. a. To know what’s what [KNOW v. 15]: to understand the qualities or values of things; to have a good judgment or apprehension; to have clear or full knowledge of the matter in hand, or of the state of the case; to know what is fitting or profitable. So with other verbs, as perceive, show, etc. colloq.

c. 1400.  Ywaine & Gaw., 432. Ful sarily than thare i sat, For wa i wist noght what was what.

1421–2.  Hoccleve, Dial., 778, in Min. Poems 138. They me oghten haue in greet cheertee, And elles woot I neuere what is what.

a. 1500.  Chaucer’s Dreme, 1296. Neither knew I kirke ne saint Ne what was what ne who was who.

a. 1553.  Udall, Royster D., I. ii. (Arb.), 17. Enamoured quod you? haue ye spied out that? Ah sir, mary nowe I see you know what is what.

1600.  Rowlands, Lett. Humours Blood, Epigr. xxv. 31. Tut, tell me not whats what; I know the law.

1663.  Butler, Hud., I. I. 149. He knew what’s what, and that’s as high As Metaphysick Wit can fly.

1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 215. I dare venture to say … that not a common Farrier in the Universe knows what’s what.

1860.  Thackeray, Lovel, v. I had so much claret on board, I did not much know what was what.

1911.  R. Harcourt, in Times, 26 Oct., 8/4. My distinguished friend Mr. Byrne, C.B., of the Home Office, who appeared as a witness, had told me what was what.

  b.  Phrases used as sbs. I know or wot not (mod. I don’t know) what, Lord or God knows what (LORD sb. 6 b, GOD 10 b), who knows what? † know-not-what (see KNOW-), watna what (see WATNA), etc.: something unknown or only vaguely apprehended or suggested; cf. L. nescio quid, F. je ne sais quoi. So … and I don’t know what all (colloq.) = ‘… and various other things unknown or unspecified,’ ‘… and all sorts of things besides.’ You know what, † (you) wot what: something that need not be specified (see YOU 11).

a. 1000.  Riddles, liv. [lv]. Hyse … hrand under gyrdels hyre stondendre stiþes nathwæt.

c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), xxx. 39. Thay luve no man effeminat, And haldis thame, bot I wat not quhat, That can nocht be w^tout thame.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 765. Sent, no man wist whether, to be done wyth, God wot what.

1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., xv. 113. Ȝe worke maist lyke ȝe wat not quhat With your Politick heidis.

1587.  in W. M. Williams, Ann. Founders’ Co. (1867), 70. Which when they did see they putt theyre hands they could not tell to whatt.

1603.  Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 154. When he was about to speake (I wot not what) as touching painting-craft.

1662.  Rump Songs, I. 52. Next come those idle Twittle-twats, Which calls me many God-knows-whats.

1701.  Wallis, in Collect. (O.H.S.), I. 330. Under penalty of … (who knows what?).

1702.  S. Parker, trans. Cicero’s De Finibus, Transl. Pref. The Grandeur, Eloquence, Neatness, and I know not what all, of an Author’s Expression.

1823.  [see GOD 10 b].

1840.  Thackeray, Barber Cox, Aug. Shouting out, ‘Aha!’ and ‘Sapprrrristie!’ and I don’t know what.

1856.  Thoreau, Lett. to Mr. B., 21 May. So we shall save some of our money … and lose—I do not know what.

1859.  Dickens, Haunted House, vii. 33/1. There’s examins, and catechizes, and I dunno what all for him to be put through.

  c.  To know what it is: to apprehend what it implies or may involve; hence, to have had experience of it. Usually with inf.

1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 615. Thou know’st not what it is, With iauelings point a churlish swine to goare.

1608.  Kellison, Reply to Sotcliffe’s Answ., Ep. Ded. a v. Till miserie had taught the prodigal Sonne wit, he neuer knew what it was to liue at home in his Father’s howse.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 26, ¶ 7. Though I am always serions, I do not know what it is to be melancholy.

1860.  Thackeray, Round. Papers, On Two Children in Black. As for the first night at a strange school, we most of us remember what that is.

1901.  W. R. H. Trowbridge, Lett. her mother to Eliz., xiii. 58. To know what dust is, you must come to Switzerland in August; the road was like driving through sand.

  d.  ellipt. for ‘what it is,’ ‘what is the truth of the matter,’ ‘what is the thing to do,’ or the like, in I(’ll) tell you what (and similar phrases now obs. or dial.), used to emphasize or call special attention to what is said (= ‘let me tell you’), or (mod. colloq.) in making a proposal.

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, III. 694. Ye be lyke the swynt catte That wolde haue fisshe, but wostow whatte He wold no thinge wete his clowes.

1576.  Gascoigne, Steele Glas (Arb.), 78. Disdaine him not: for shal I tel you what? Such clime to heauen, before the shauen crownes.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. v. 86. This tricke may chance to scath you, I know what, You must contrary me. Ibid. (1594), Rich. III., III. ii. 92. Wot you what, my Lord, To day the Lords you talke of, are beheaded. Ibid. (1596), Merch. V., I. i. 86. I tell thee what Anthonio, I loue thee.

1657.  in Brand’s Pop. Antiq. (Bohn), I. 121. I’le tell thee what, To-morrow thou shalt see Me weare the willow.

1773.  G. A. Stevens, Trip to Portsmouth, i. 10. Sir Flimsey. I’ll tell you what, madam—. Miss Flirt. And I’ll tell you when, Sir Flimsey. When you take a lady out with you, don’t domineer so.

1872.  Routledge’s Ev. Boy’s Ann., June, 442/1. I’ll tell you what, we’ll row down.

1899.  H. Wyndham, Soldiers of Queen, viii. 176. Tell you what, Bill, you can start your stock with one of my old shirts for the price of a quart.

  *** Various special uses and collocations (in direct questions or in dependent clauses). See also 17.

  For what becomes (is become, etc.) of … see BECOME v. 4.

  9.  With intensive additions, as what the deuce (devil, dickens, etc.), what in the name of…, what in the world, what on earth, etc.: see also the sbs. (Cf. HOW adv. 1 b.)

c. 1385–.  [see DEVIL sb. 20].

1596–.  [see PLAGUE sb. 3 d].

1600–.  [see DICKENS a.].

1614.  Jackson, Creed, II. 133. What a Gods name, hinders him from doing it?

1709.  Steele & Addison, Tatler, No. 110, ¶ 4. What-a-Pox hast thou to do with Ladies and Lovers?

1757–.  [see DEUCE² b¹.].

1818.  Shelley, Ess. & Lett. (1852), II. 116. What on earth does he mean by some of his inferences?

1829.  Scott, Anne of G., xii. Thinking what in the universe it could be made of.

1836.  [see HELL sb. 9].

1897.  S. Crane, Third Violet, xv. 101. What the mischief have I done? Ibid., xvi. 105. I wonder what in blue thunder you mean this time?

  10.  Of quantity, amount or price: How much, how many. So of the time of day, in what’s o’clock, what’s the time (see CLOCK sb.¹ 3, 4, TIME sb. 13).

  The orig. use was with partitive gen.; later, partitive of occurs.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), cxviii[i]. 84. Hwæt synt þinum esne ealra daʓena?

c. 1420.  Avow. Arth., xxxiii. Quat is thi rawunsun opon ryȝte?

c. 1425.  Crafte Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.), 26. Yf þou wold wete qwat is 4 hundryth times 4.

1508.  Dunbar, Gold. Targe, 274. I knaw quhat thou of rethorike hes spent.

c. 1525.  Vox Populi, 374, in Hazl., E. P. P., III. 281. I knowe not whates a clocke, But by the countre cocke.

1557.  Order of Hospitalls, C vij b. That there be geven Warrants … what shall be paid to any such Pencioner wekly.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., III. ii. 319. I pray you, what i’st a clocke?

1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., I. ii. 34. As 16 to 7: So is 8 to what?

1814.  J. H. Moore’s Pract. Navig. (ed. 19), 130. What is Greenwich Time when it is Noon 75°, or Five Hours, West of Greenwich?

1816.  Scott, Bl. Dwarf, ix. But I’ll see what o’ them can be gotten back.

1835.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Parlour Orator. He can tell what’s o’clock by an eight-day, without looking at the minute hand, he can.

1859.  Habits Gd. Soc., xi. 305. What of that essential harmony … can there possibly be between a hundred … people?

1904.  Sir H. Hawkins, Remin., II. 2. Lloyd must have made £20,000 a year…; what I made is of no consequence.

  11.  What for (introducing a clause; sometimes written as one word; Sc. and north. dial.; earlier north. ME. † for what, replacing OE. for hwan); now, in polite colloq. use, only What … for (in independent or dependent clause), or What for?: for what purpose, with what object? for what reason, why, wherefore? Also † through what: how? So † what to (till): to what end, whereto.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 199. Þurrh whatt maȝȝ icc nu witenn þiss? Ibid., 4814, 5. Forr whatt iss Drihhtin me þuss wraþ? Ibid., 14113. Forr all mannkinn to shæwenn swa Forr whatt he comm onn erþe.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1657. Iacob tolde him for quat he swanc So fer.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XI. 28 (Camb. MS.). God … wat quhat-to [Edin. MS. quhat-till] all thing efferis.

c. 1760.  D. Hume, in Ramsay’s Remin., v. (ed. 18), 116. What for should I burn a’ my … bukies?

1799.  Burns, ‘What ails ye now,’ ix. ‘Geld you!’ quo’ he, ‘and whatfor no?’

1823.  Galt, R. Gilhaize, lx. The children wondered whatfor an honest man should be brought to punishment.

1857.  Hughes, Tom Brown, II. i. The boot he had just pulled off flew straight at the head of the bully … ‘Confound you, Brown, what’s that for?’

1879.  F. W. Robinson, Coward Consc., I. viii. What are you staring at a fellow like that for?

  b.  When subordinated what… for comes to mean ‘the reason why.’

1714.  R. Fiddes, Pract. Disc., II. 236. But what I cited all these passages for is to show [etc.].

  c.  As sb. phr. in the slang phr. to give (one) what for = to inflict severe pain or chastisement.

1873.  Routledge’s Yng. Gentl. Mag., Feb., 137/1. It’ll give you what for if it touches your lips.

1894.  Du Maurier, Trilby, I. 31. Taffy … was a match for any maître d’armes in the whole French army, and Svengali got ‘what for.’

  12.  As indefinite final alternative in a disjunctive question. Chiefly colloq.

1766.  J. Adams, Diary, 29 July, Wks. 1850, II. 198. In what is this man conspicuous?—in reasoning, in imagination, in painting, in the pathetic, or what?

1769.  G. White, Selborne, To Pennant, 28 Feb. Is it owing to the vast, massy buildings of that place, to the many waters round it, or to what else?

1842.  E. FitzGerald, Lett. to Barton, 16 Sept. Have you supposed me dead or what?

1884.  trans. Lotze’s Logic, 341. We shall further discover whether the true path is a circle, an ellipse, an oval, or what.

  II.  adj.

  13.  As the ordinary interrogative adjective, sing. or pl., used of a thing or things, a person or persons, in direct questions: often with ellipsis, as what cheer? (CHEER sb. 3 b), what news? etc.

  The meaning was expressed in OE. by hwæt with a partitive gen.

[Beowulf, 237. Hwæt syndon ʓe searohæbbendra byrnum werede?

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxi. 164. Hwæt is ðinga þe biterre sie on ðæs lareowes mode … ðonne se anda ðe for ryhtwisnesse bið upahafen?]

a. 1225.  St. Marher., 4. Hwet godd heiestu ant hersumest?

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 29034. Quat bote is fra mete to min And dedeli for to lig in sin?

1382.  Wyclif, 1 John iii. 12. And for what thing slew he him?

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 525. ‘And what sovne is it lyke?’ quod hee. Ibid., III. 1058. And eueryche cried, what thing is that? And somme sayde, I not neuer what.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 683. Quat sterne is it at ȝe stody on?

a. 1425.  Cursor M., 13154 (Trin.). What maner þing.

c. 1440.  [see CHEER sb. 3 b].

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xiii. 3. Quhat tydingis gossep, peax or weir?

a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, I. ii. (1912), 14. What cause then … made you venter to leave this sweete life?

a. 1596.  Sir T. More, I. iii. 71. Sirra, what newes?

1610.  Shaks., Temp., II. i. 88. What impossible matter wil he make easy next?

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, X. ix. What saucy Fellow … told you any Thing of my Lady?

1815.  Scott, Guy M., xi. ‘What Mr. Bertram?’ … ‘not Mr. Bertram of Ellangowan, I hope?’

1853.  C. Brontë, Villette, xxxvii. A story! What story?

1880.  ‘Mark Twain,’ Tramp Abr., xxii. But what good would it do?

  (b)  What way (Sc. and north.): how? why?

1570.  Levins, Manip., 197/3. Whatway, quà, quomodò?

1719.  Ramsay, To Arbuckle, 6. [He] disna care for A how, a what way, or a wherefore.

1799.  Mitchell, Scotticisms, 95. What way did it happen?

1902.  J. J. Bell, Wee Macgregor, v. Macgreegor,… whit wey did ye strike puir Wullie Thomson?

  b.  In rhetorical questions, implying a contrary assertion: cf. 3.

c. 1420.  Sir Amadace (Camden), xxviii. Quat wundur were hit, thaȝhe him were wo?

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VI. Prol. 105. Quhat cristnit clerk suld hym haue consalit bettir, Althocht he nevir was catholik wight?

1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 565. What waxe so frozen but dissolues with tempring?

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, XI. 770. With what becoming Thanks can I reply!

1790.  Burns, Ball. Dumfries Election, xx. What Whig but wails the good Sir James Dear to his country by the names, Friend, Patron, Benefactor!

1821.  Shelley, Hellas, 387. What hope of refuge, or retreat, or aid?

1848.  Kingsley, Yeast, xiii. What wonder if the children take them at their word and act accordingly?

  14.  In indirect questions, and dependent clauses of similar meaning, with varying interrogative force, sometimes approaching the compound relative use (C. 8): cf. I. ** above.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 722. Godess enngell seȝȝde himm þær, Whatt name he shollde settenn Uppo þatt illke child.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 34. Bot be the fruit may scilwis se, O quat vertu is ilka tre.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 2746. Þey ȝede spiande her & þer In what bataille þe kynges wer.

c. 1450.  Mirk’s Festial, 33. Tell þes men whad þou hast yseyne, and whad joy þes men han lost.

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, X. xxix. 460. Thenne sire Tristram lete deuyse the bataille in what manere that it shold be.

1548–9.  (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Collect 1st Sund. after Epiph. Graunt that they maye both perceyue and knowe what thynges they ought to do.

1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. xlviii. § 2. To examine … what dependencie it hath on God.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 741. Till first I know of thee, What thing thou art.

c. 1720.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 25. They called frequent councils of war what course to take.

1835.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Mr. Watkins Tottle, ii. How, or at what hour, Mr. Watkins Tottle returned … is unknown.

1918.  Sir C. P. Lucas, in Cornhill Mag., June, 636–7. He [Gladstone] made no attempt to forecast a future of United Empire or to suggest upon what political lines that future might be shaped.

  b.  I know not what, Heaven knows what, etc., used as adj phr. = some unknown or undefined…, some … or other: cf. 8 b.

a. 1635.  in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. (1906), III. 43. There was present on horse-backe, I knowe not what poetical preacher, named Pourcase.

1670.  G. H., Hist. Cardinals, II. III. 205. There lias been already some disgusts…, about I know not what reducement of the Light-horse.

1824.  Scott, St. Ronan’s, viii. And I know not what other menaces of formidable import.

  15.  In reference to quality or character: = What kind of (= L. qualis). Also followed by a (dial.).

  † What done, what dones: see DONE ppl. a. 2.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 225. He wolde iwite Ȝwat man þe child ssolde be. Ibid., 315. Brut sende vp þere Þre hondred men … to loke ȝwat lond þat were.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1305, Dido. Allas what weman wele ȝe of me make?

a. 1400.  Pistill of Susan, 314. Tel nou me trewly, vnder what tre?

1445.  in Anglia, XXVIII. 269. Þou … askist what life this man hath had.

1577.  Googe, trans. Heresbach’s Husb., 17 b. It is to be learned … in planting, what ground is best for Uines, what for other trees.

1605.  A. Warren, Poor Man’s Pass., etc., H 2. I dare not call thee Asse, but aske thy selfe, What eares thou hast.

a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. II. 318. It was a common piece of raillery in the Court, upon the death of any Prince, to ask what a person his widow was.

1853.  Maurice, Proph. & Kings, vi. 98. He wants a God as the support of his authority; what God he cares very little.

1879.  F. W. Robinson, Coward Consc., I. vi. ‘What wine is this, Fisher?’ ‘Johannisberg, sir.’

  16.  In reference to quantity or amount: How much, how many.

  Cf. the OE. use with partitive gen. (10 above).

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XIX. 293. ‘Quhat folk ar thai?’ ‘Schir, mony men.’

1605.  Shaks., Macb., III. iv. 126. Macb. … What is the night? La. Almost at oddes with morning, which is which.

1654.  Kirk Sess. Rec., in Jas. Campbell, Balmerino (1899), 408. To stent and sie what bolls of victuall everie heritor was.

1820.  Dibdin, Ivanhoe, II. i. Pray thee what money hast thou brought?

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 728. What water have you? The question to the man sounding, as to the depth of water which the lead-line gives.

Mod. colloq.  What pudding is there left?

  17.  In predicative use, corresponding to a predicative adj. in direct statement: usually referring to quality (cf. 15) = of what kind, character or disposition.

  Syntactically indistinguishable from the pron., but essentially adjectival in meaning, and sometimes implying ellipsis of sb.: e.g., in quot. a. 1450 whad … more = ‘what more wits.’

1340.  Ayenb., 264. ‘And huet is helle?’… ‘Helle is wyd wyþ-oute metinge, dyep wyþ-oute botme.’

c. 1400.  Anturs Arth., viii. What is þi good rede?

a. 1450.  Myrc, 1333. Here ben þe wyttus fyue, How þey ben spende, telle me blyue, And whad þou hast in herte more.

1526.  Tindale, James i. 24. He goeth his waye, and hath immediatly forgotten what his fassion was.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., I. v. 269. I see you what you are, you are too proud. Ibid. (1605), Lear, II. ii. 121. What was th’ offence you gaue him?

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VII. 178. To search the Land, and where the Cities lye, And what the Men [Virg. quive habeant homines]. Ibid., XI. 516. Noble his Mother was,… But what his Father’s Parentage, unknown.

1828.  Duppa, Trav. Italy, etc., 3. What the Transfiguration may have been, as to execution and colouring, I cannot tell.

1905.  R. Bagot, Passport, xvi. You know what he is about anything disagreeable—how he simply ignores its existence.

  18.  In parasynthetic compounds, as what-fashioned, -natured adjs. (= of what fashion, nature). So what countryman (= a man of what country): see COUNTRYMAN 1.

1559.  Aylmer, Harborowe, P 1 b. Some of you knowe what natured men they be.

1607.  R. C[arew], trans. Estienne’s World of Wonders, 237. [One] may well doubt whether lockesmithes … vsed files … or rather what fashioned files they had.

1622.  Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., II. 302. He began to aske of me what Country-man I was? I told him that I was of Sevill.

1796.  Southey, Lett. fr. Spain (1799), 196. Turning round to Manuel, he asked him what countryman he was.

1807.  [see COUNTRYMAN 1].

  III.  adv.

  † 19.  For what cause or reason? for what end or purpose? why? Obs.

  What need(s: see NEED v.² 1 b, 2 b, 5 b.

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., xiv. § 2. Hwæt murcnast þu þonn[e] æfter þam þe þu forlure?

971.  Blickl. Hom., 137. Hwæt secestu minne naman, forþon he is mycel & wundorlic?

c. 1205.  Lay., 13632. Whæht [c. 1275 wi] is þæt þu murnest.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 2218, Ariadne. What shulde I more telle hire compleynynge?

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 5097. Withoute more (what shulde I glose?).

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. v. 162. What ben ȝe greuose to this womman?

1579.  Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 148. But what stand we trifling about this testimonie?

1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., ¶ 4. But what mention wee three or foure vses of the Scripture?

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 329. What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr?

a. 1677.  Barrow, Serm., I. 7. What should I mention beauty; that fading toy?

  20.  In what way? in what respect? how? Obs. or arch. (See also AIL v. 4, quots. c. 1450–c. 1817.)

c. 1200.  Ormin, 14018. Ure Laferrd Jesu Crist Þuss seȝȝde till hiss moderr; Whatt falleþþ þiss till me wiþþ þe, Wifmann, þiss þatt tu mælesst?

1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xx. 9. What han we synned in thee?

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 2523. Quat knawis þou þat?

1457.  Harding, Chron., in Engl. Hist. Rev. (1912), Oct., 744. What hath Englonde so felly the offende, This noble prynce … To Rauysshe so fro vs?

c. 1460.  in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866), 250. A, ihesu! quat hast þou gylt?

1535.  Coverdale, Baruch iv. 17. But alas, what can I helpe you?

1816.  Scott, Antiq., xv. It just cam open o’ free will in my hand—what could I help it?

1842.  Tennyson, Morte d’Arth., 250. For what are men better than sheep or goats … If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer…?

  b.  To what extent or degree? how much?

  Chiefly with such verbs as avail, care, matter, signify, or with the and comparative, as the better; cf. NOTHING B. 1, 2 c, NONE C. 1 b. Also † quhat fele (Sc. obs.) = how many?

1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xxxvii. 26. What shal it profit vs if we sleen oure brother?

c. 1420.  ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 1664. What were they bothe amendyd that day?

c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 627. Quhat fele armes on loft,… The said persewant bure.

a. 1535.  Fisher, Spir. Consol., Wks. (1876), 357. And what am I now the better for all this?

1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 207. What were thy lips the worse for one poore kis? Ibid., 285. What cares he now, for curbe, or pricking spurre?

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 784. Now what avails his well-deserving Toil!

1757.  [see SIGNIFY 7].

1865.  Ruskin, Sesame, i. § 32. What do we, as a nation, care about books?

  21.  As mere sign of interrogation, introducing a question, Obs. exc. dial. (see Eng. Dial. Dict.).

  Often taken as interjection (cf. B. 1), and printed with following comma or mark of exclamation.

c. 1000.  Lamb. Ps., Cant. vi. Hwæt la [Vulg. Numquid] nis he fæder þin?

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5182. Quat ha yee broght him wit yow hider?

13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 309. ‘What, is þis Arþures hous,’ quod þe haþel þenne.

1592.  Marlowe, Massacre Paris, 938. Come on sirs, what are you resolutely bent?

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. v. 57. What dares the slaue Come hither … To fleere and scorne at our Solemnitie? Ibid. (1602), Ham., I. i. 19. Say, what is Horatio there?

1677.  Ravenscroft, Wrangling Lovers, II. i. 13. What’s he a Spy too?

1741.  trans. D’Argens’ Chinese Lett., xxxii. 243. What have they been extinguish’d by Sorcerers, as they had been form’d by supernatural Prodigies?

  B.  Exclamatory and allied uses.

  I.  int. † 1. Used to introduce or call attention to a statement: Lo; now; well. Obs.

Beowulf, 1. Hwæt! we Gar-Dena in ʓeardaʓum, þeod-cyninga þrym ʓefrunon.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 130. Hwæt ða ʓelyfdon for wel meniʓe, and on Godes naman ʓefullode wurdon.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 856. He seyde syn I shal bigynne the game What welcome be the cut a goddes name.

  2.  As an exclamation of surprise or astonishment (sometimes mixed with indignation): usually followed by a question.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 19429. Whatt Abraham, whatt Moysæs, Whatt tiss & tatt profete, Ne sæȝhenn þeȝȝ nohht Drihhtin Godd Inn hiss goddcunnde kinde?

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1298. Hwat, heo seyde, vle, artu wod?

13[?].  Cursor M., 10456 (Gött.). Quat? wenis þu i be a fole?

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XIII. 184. ‘What?’ quod clergye to conscience ‘ar ȝe coueitouse nouthe After ȝeresȝyues?’

1412–20.  Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 2900. What, hath sche nat fro deth and fro distresse Preserued þe, and ȝit þou takest noon hede?

1589.  R. Harvey, Pl. Perc. (1599), 5. What, what, latine in the mouth of a plaine fellow?

1633.  Ford, ’Tis Pity, IV. iii. What, crying, old Mistresse!

1639.  J. Clarke, Parœm., 303. What againe? quoth Paul when his wife made him cuckold the second time.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XV. vii. ‘O, Mr. Jones, I have lost my Lady for ever.’—‘How! what! for Heaven’s Sake tell me.’

1810.  Crabbe, Borough, xxii. 74. None put the question,—‘Peter, dost thou give The boy his food?—What, man! the lad must live.’

1847.  Tennyson, Princess, II. 33. What! are the ladies of your land so tall?

1886.  Baring-Gould, Crt. Royal, xii. ‘What!—not Sunday clothes?’ ‘Sunday is nothing to us.’ ‘What! no go-to-meeting clothes?’

  b.  With intensive additions, as in A. 9 (of which use this may be partly an elliptical variant).

c. 1420.  ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 425. ‘Ys hit thus!’ quod Attropos, ‘what in the deuyllys date!’

c. 1520.  Skelton, Magnyf., 795. What the deuyll! can ye agre no better?

1754.  Richardson, in J. Duncombe, Lett. (1773), III. 13. What a duce, must a man be always writing!

1865.  Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. iii. If there is a word … that I abominate, it is energy…. What the deuce! Am I to rush out into the street [etc.].

  3.  Used to hail, summon, or call the attention of a person; also formerly for incitement, or as an expression of excitement or exultation. arch. and dial. a. in phr. what ho!

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Miller’s T., 251. What how, what do ye maister Nicholay?

1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., July, 5. What ho, thou iollye shepheards swayne, Come vp the hyll to me.

c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faustus, III. iv. (1616). What ho, Officers, Gentlemen, Hye to the presence to attend the Emperour.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., I. ii. 313. What hoa: slaue: Caliban.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., II. xxxv. ‘Malise, what ho!’—his henchman came.

1864.  Ballantyne, Lifeboat, x. ‘What ho! Coleman,’ cried Bax,… ‘have you actually acquired the art of sleeping on a donkey?’

1899.  H. Wyndham, Soldiers of Queen, vi. 137. ‘What ho! Did you get your bloomin’ ticket this time?’ demands a brother ‘Lancer.’

  b.  simply. Now dial.

a. 1553.  Udall, Royster D., I. iii. (Arb.), 22. What Tibet, what Annot, what Margerie. Ye sleepe, but we doe not.

1581.  A. Hall, Iliad, II. 29. What? courage sirs my felowes al.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. iii. 3, 4. Nurse … I bad her come, what Lamb: what Ladi-bird, God forbid, Where’s this Girle? what Iuliet?

1607.  Dekker & Webster, Northw. Hoe, V. i. Chamberlain, call in the music,… What! we’ll make a night of it.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., IV. i. 33. What Ariell; my industrious seruant Ariell. Ar. What would my potent master? here I am.

1633.  B. Jonson, Tale Tub, I. iii. Here they are both! What Sirs, disputin.

1878.  Hardy, Ret. Native, III. viii. What, Diggory? You are having a lonely walk.

  II.  4. adv. To what an extent! in what a way! = HOW adv. 7. Obs. exc. dial.

Beowulf, 530. Hwæt þu worn fela … beore druncen ymb Brecan spræce!

a. 900.  Cynewulf, Juliana, 167. Juliana! hwæt þu glæm hafast.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 33. Eala hwæt Drihten deofles costunga ʓeþyldelice abær.

c. 1250[?].  in E. E. Lyrics (1907), 1. Ei, ei, what this nicht is long!

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 23175. Quat he war wijs þat moght Stedfast hald þis dai in thoght!

13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2203. What hit wharred, & whette, as water at a mulne.

1340.  Ayenb., 51. A god huet we hedde guod wyn yesteneuen and guode metes.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 215. A! quhat thai dempt thaim felonly!

c. 1440.  York Myst., xiv. 71. A! lorde, what the wedir is colde!

1556.  Chron. Grey Friars (Camden), 60. What rebellyous they were.

Mod. Sc.  What bonny!

  III.  5. adj. Used (as sing. or pl.) to express the surprising or striking nature of the thing(s) or person(s) denoted by the sb.; in sing. usually, now always, followed by the indef. art., exc. with a sb. in collective or abstract sense. Often with ellipsis (cf. A. 4, 13).

  Formerly usually, and still in archaic style, with inverted construction as in a direct question; being distinguished from this by intonation, and in the (non-collective). sing. by the presence of the indef. art.; cf. ‘What a place is this!’ (mod. ‘What a place this is!’) with ‘What place is this?’

c. 1315.  Shoreham, II. 119. O swete leuedy, wat þe was wo, Þo ihesus deyde on rode!

a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 530. O, worthy god, what wele is me!

1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, II. 119. O wyth what reuerence,… wyth what inwarde deuocyon … oughte we to haue vs in euery place.

c. 1485.  Digby Myst., IV. 1157. What a fawte it was, The seruaunte, alas, His master to forsake!

1509.  Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), II. 105. O what a Cyte, and what a se royall Hath had first name of pore men and rurall.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., III. i. 48. What a coile is there Dromio? who are those at the gate? Ibid. (1596), Merch. V., I. iii. 161. O father Abram, what these Christians are. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., I. iii. 42. Cassius, what Night is this? Ibid. (1602), Ham., II. ii. 315. What a piece of worke is a man! Ibid. (1611), Cymb., IV. i. 16. What Mortalitie is?

1615.  W. Lawson, Country Housew. Garden (1626), 32. What rottennesse? what hollownesse?

1633.  A. Stafford, Fem. Glory, 133. O what proficients in Faith did these rusticall Swaines prove in a moment!

1705.  Addison, Italy, 307. What a strain’d unnatural Similitude must this seem to a Modern Reader?

1776.  Earl Carlisle, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), III. 160. What a house! What people! what manners!

1798.  G. Hay, in Ushaw Mag. (1913), Dec., 288. What shocking times we live in!

1825.  Scott, Talism., i. What was the surprise of the Saracen, when, dismounting to examine the condition of his prostrate enemy, he found [etc.].

1847.  C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, ii. What a consternation of soul was mine that dreary afternoon!… Yet in what darkness, what dense ignorance, was the mental battle fought!

1855.  Browning, A Lovers’ Quarrel, i. Oh, what a dawn of day! How the March sun feels like May!

1888.  Rider Haggard, Col. Quaritch, xli. What rubbish you talk.

  b.  In dependent clauses, after verbs of thinking or perceiving.

  Here the exclamatory force varies as the interrogative force does in the corresponding interrogative use (A. 14), with which this often nearly coincides: cf. remarks under A. I.**

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1610. Quat was his reut [= ruth] þan all mai see.

1554.  in Engl. Hist. Rev. (1913), July, 528. When I consydere ever what servants of God they were and so dyed.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., I. iv. 21. Me thought what paine it was to drowne. Ibid. (1610), Temp., I. ii. 251. Do’st thou forget From what a torment I did free thee?

1708.  Caldwell Papers (Maitland Club), I. 216. You cannot imagine what a parcel of cheating brutes the work people here are.

1713.  Addison, Guardian, No. 119, ¶ 1. We may see after what a different manner Strada proceeds.

1808.  Scott, Marm., II. vi. See what a woful look was given.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, lxix. You may judge with what devotion he … clung to this girl.

1916.  Sanday, In View of End, 93. Let … the ordinary church-goer call to mind what a large proportion of the best of our hymn-tunes are German.

  IV.  † 6. pron. Used in exclamation to denote something surprising or striking; sometimes with inverted construction, as in 5. Obs.

1382.  Wyclif, Num. xxiii. 23. In his tymes it shal be seide to Jacob and to Yrael, What the Lord hath wrouȝt! [Vulg. quid operatus sit Deus; 1611 What hath God wrought!]

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 54. Lo now, my Sone, what it is A man to caste his yhe amis.

c. 1460.  Wisdom, 1121, in Macro Plays, 72. Haue mynde, Soule, wat Gode hath do!

  C.  Relative and allied uses. (In early use often followed by that (THAT conj. 6), rarely as.)

  I.  pron. * as compound relative (combining antecedent and relative).

  1.  That which, the thing which. (Sometimes with pleonastic correlative that.) Also occas. (b) more generally, A thing which, something that.

  Not used of persons, exc. in the idiomatic phr. but what: see 5 below.

  The line of division between the dependent interrog. use (see A. I**) and the pure relative use is in certain conditions, esp. in the early periods, difficult or impossible to draw.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 191. Quod pungit ueneno afficit.… Hie … attreð hwat heo prikeð.

c. 1205.  Lay., 31618. Ȝe habbeoð alle iherd whæt Penda king hafueð iseid.

c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 2578. Mekli þan to meliors he munged what he þouȝt.

c. 1410.  Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), Prol. 12. This booke tretith of what shalbe in euery sesoun moste durable.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. vi. 172. That thou wolt folewe Holi Writt, and take for the lawe and seruice of God what that Holi Writ allowith.

1521.  Perth Hammermen Book (1889), 16. Item giffin to Andro Scot of quhat wes awand him,… iiij s.

1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 88. So offers he to giue what she did craue.

1596.  Danett, trans. Comines (1614), 219. Notwithstanding what I haue heard, that I will report.

1599.  George a Greene, G j b. What as Bradford holdes of me in chiefe, I giue it frankely vnto thee for euer.

1649.  Milton, Eikon., iv. 36. He … justifi’d and abetted them in what they did.

1724.  Ramsay, Vision, xii. I ken sum mair than ye … Of quhat sall afterwart befall.

1731–8.  Swift, Pol. Conversat., Introd. p. lxxxi. So incurable is the Love of Detraction, perhaps beyond what the charitable Reader will easily believe.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., cxxiv. And what I am beheld again What is.

1851.  Househ. Words, 6 Sept., 560/1. I was going to ask you to dine with me on what I have left.

1865.  Ruskin, Sesame, i. § 20. Milton means what he says.

1884.  W. S. Gilbert, Princ. Ida, II. What we have Of hair, is all our own.

1886.  Law Rep., 32 Chanc. Div. 71. It appears to me that they acted very reasonably in what they did.

1889.  Mrs. E. Kennard, Landing a Prize, i. (1891), 2. His duties were performed with the precision of an automaton. What he did one day, that he did the next.

  (b)  1697.  J. Lewis, Mem. Dk. Glocester (1789), 56. Dr. Radcliffe … finding him feverish, prescribed what restored him to health in five days.

1784.  Cowper, Task, I. 55. If cushion might be call’d, what harder seem’d Than the firm oak of which the frame was form’d.

  b.  In reference to a prec. sb., esp. after but, except, only, than, like, etc., with quasi-adj. force: The one which; chiefly as pl. those which; † also (rare) of persons, those who.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. iv. 4. Wee will … draw no Swords, but what are sanctify’d.

1611.  Bible, 2 Cor. i. 13. We write none other things vnto you, then what you reade or acknowledge.

1664.  Pepys, Diary, 2 Jan. To the King’s house, and saw The Usurper, which is no good play, though better than what I saw yesterday.

1676.  Dryden, Aurengz., II. i. An easier yoke than what you put on me.

1677.  Essex Papers (Camden), II. 118. Ye Parties which lost it now was greater than wt carried it when ye perpetuating clause was lately ordered.

1681.  M. Fox, in Jrnl. Friends’ Hist. Soc. (1912), July, 139. Hauing noe body to bee with at home but what is noe Friends.

1758.  S. Hayward, Serm., xvi. 475. He was under no obligations to take human nature, only what arose from his free … promise.

1762.  Kames, Elem. Crit. (1774), I. i. 24. We feel a gradual dilatation … of mind, like what is felt in an ascending series.

1824.  L. Murray, Engl. Gram. (ed. 5), I. 233. All fevers, except what are called nervous.

1868.  M. Arnold, Sch. & Univ. Cont., 21, note. The Revolution made a clean sweep of all old endowments; what exist date from a time since the Revolution.

  2.  With special implications, a. Expressing quantity or amount (cf. A. 10): So much (or many) as, as much as.

1646.  in M. Sellers, Eastland Co. (Camden), Introd. 66. They desire, that what as hath allready bene equallie disburst,… be brought to accompt, and what as remayned in Cash be returned up.

1664.  Pepys, Diary, 18 March. Their service was six biscuits a-piece, and what they pleased of burnt claret.

1718.  Free-thinker, No. 62. 44. The Romans learnt, what they knew of this Mysterious Doctrine, from the Etrurians.

1789.  Massachusetts Spy, 9 April, 3/2. What of the votes in Newhampshire for President, we have seen, are nearly equally divided.

  b.  Expressing quality or character (cf. A. 2, 15, 17): Such as; the kind of thing (or person) that.

a. 1658.  Cleveland, Rustick Ramp., 114. He delighted to be … acknowledged for what he was.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, X. 901. And what Æneas was, such seem’d the Shade.

1756–7.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), IV. 468. The court is still very splendid, though much altered from what it was in the year 1716.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 185. The country was not what it had been twenty-two years before.

1861.  Thackeray, Round. Papers, On being Found Out. Would you have your wife and children know you exactly for what you are?

1891.  Speaker, 2 May, 533/1. The book is very much what might have been expected from the author.

  c.  Expressing parallel relation or correspondence (with to in principal clause and in relative clause).

1673–4.  Grew, Anat. Pl., III. (1682), 127. And what the Mouth is, to an Animal; that the Root is to a Plant.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., IV. § 21. Intellect is to the mind what sight is to the body.

1853.  Ruskin, Stones Venice, III. iv. § 11. What the elm and oak are to England, the olive is to Italy.

1914.  Month, Dec., 608. Jingoism is to true patriotism what bigotry is to true religion.

  3.  a. In a parenthetic phrase (chiefly with call) qualifying a following word or phrase; equivalent to an adjective phrase, or to a following phrase with as: e.g., what is called … = ‘the so-called…, or ‘…, as it is called.’

1697.  J. Lewis, Mem. Dk. Glocester (1789), 15. A fortification, mounted with small guns, and what were stiled his great ones, which were four little brass cannon.

1794.  in Jrnl. Friends’ Hist. Soc. (1918), 8. Other demonstrations of what they call Loyalty.

1801.  Coleridge, Lett. (1895), 346. Calvert is … what is well called a handy man.

1828.  Life Planter Jamaica, 211. A very small pea,… a kind of what is called squashies.

1856.  Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, I. 9. I, writing thus, am still what men call young.

1908.  R. Bagot, A. Cuthbert, v. 40. She is what she calls ‘taking your measure.’

  b.  Introducing a prefatory (usually parenthetic) qualifying clause, equivalent to a following clause with which (or to an adv., e.g., what is more = furthermore, still more).

1697.  Dampier, Voy., I. 5. Where we saw (what we always feared) a Ship [etc.].

1713.  Pope, in Earl Orrery, Rem. Swift (1752), 36. If it be true, what I have heard often affirmed by innocent people, That [etc.].

1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 40. And, what was reckon’d very odd, the Cabbin-Bell came ashore.

1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, v. She wore, what was then somewhat unusual, a coat, vest, and hat, resembling those of a man.

1839.  Thackeray, Fatal Boots, Feb. I got from him … a … silver-laced waistcoat,… and, what’s more, I had no less than three golden guineas in the pocket of it.

  4.  In generalized or indefinite sense: Anything that: = WHATEVER 2 a. Now only in such phrases as what you please, come what may, or esp. (b) for what I know, care, can tell. † Formerly also in a qualifying dependent clause: = WHATEVER 3 a.

c. 1315.  Shoreham, IV. 159. Ac tyde þe what by-tyde.

1340.  Ayenb., 43. Oþer be uenym, oþer ine oþre manere, huet þet hit by.

1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 68. What it be þat ȝe bidde, ȝour bonus i graunte.

a. 1425.  Cursor M., 13148 (Trin.). He bad hir aske what [Cott. quatsum, Fairf. quateuer] she wolde.

1469.  Bury Wills (Camden), 50. To make therof qwat that he can.

1535.  Coverdale, Gen. i. 24. Catell, wormes and what as hath life vpon earth.

1601.  Shaks. (title of play). Twelfe Night, Or what you will.

1655.  Vaughan, Silex Scint., Mt. Olives, i. Such ill-plac’d wit, Conceit, or call it what you please, Is the braines fit, And meere disease.

1670.  in Marvell’s Corr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 299. Its therefore my request to you to … be assisting to him with your Certificates, or in what else you can serve him.

1680.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., xii. 208. With your Flat Chissel or Gouge, (or what is nearest at hand) knock softly.

1749.  Hartley, Observ. Man, I. i. § 1. 20. Be the Cause what it will.

1859.  H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, ix. One thing she was determined on, not to give up her lover, come what would.

1908.  S. E. White, Riverman, xix. To sacrifice his pride, his ambition, his what-you-will.

  (b.)  1697.  J. Lewis, Mem. Dk. Glocester (1789), 55. You may have half a dozen [legs] for what I know, as it is difficult to discover any under the petticoats you wear!

1798.  Charlotte Smith, Yng. Philos., I. 22. She may die for what you know.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxii. It may have been murdered, for what I can tell.

1875.  Ruskin, Fors Clav., lx. 332. You may think, for what I care, what you please in such matters.

  † b.  Of a person or persons: Whoever. Obs.

c. 1340.  Hampole, Prose Treat., 43. Ilke man, what þat he be, þat in-calles þe name of Godd, þat es to say askes saluacione by Ihesu and by his passione.

c. 1430.  Freemasonry (1840), 445. And whad he be, let hym be sowȝht.

1448–9.  Metham, Amoryus & Cleopes, 916. He redy schuld be For hys lady sake to iuste, ayens yche knyght in general,… and qwat he were myght yeue hym a falle.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. iii. 45. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. Ibid. (1613), Hen. VIII., V. iii. 47. That … my Accusers, Be what they will, may stand forth face to face.

  c.  with the indefinite sense indicated by ever, so, etc. following (now only immediately following: see WHATEVER, WHATSO, etc.): cf. 9 b below.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 2504. & all wass mænelike þing Whatt littless se þeȝȝ haffdenn.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 20. What as eny man accuse. Ibid., 103. What as evere that ye seie.

1464.  Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 68. What that euer he wer to by straw, he must pay in honde.

1471[?].  Caxton, Chesse, III. iv. (ed. 2), g v. To alle trewe marchauntis and other what that someuer [ed. 1474 other what som euyr] they be.

  d.  What else: orig. ellipt. = whatever else there may be; hence, with loss of the relative force, anything else, anything and everything.

1579.  Expos. Termes Law, s.v. Reservation, Theyr reseruations were as wel … in vittailis, whether flesh, fishe, corne, bread, drinke, or what els, as in money.

1585–6.  Earl Leycester, Corr. (Camden), 85. Impostes, customes, and what ells that yeld them money.

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. i. 51. Warwicke … in conclusion winnes the King from her, With promise of his Sister, and what else, To strengthen and support King Edwards place.

1659.  in Engl. Hist. Rev. (1919), July, 287. That … you will afford the best of your assistance … and what elce needfull.

1873.  Ruskin, Crown Wild Olive, App. xi. 201. The right to keep everything and every place about you in as good order as you can—Prussia, Poland, or what else.

  5.  But what (after a negative expressed or implied): except what (or who); which (or who) … not (= BUT C. 12 b): see also BUT C. 30.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., V. ii. 14. Padua affords nothing but what is kinde.

1662.  Evelyn, Sculptura, Table. Never any of the Antients excelled in these Arts, but what were Gentlemen.

1688.  South, Serm., Matt. xxii. 12 (1697), II. 333. Few are Confident, but what are first Careless.

1747.  Gentl. Mag., 247/2. Of the sails that were left, I believe there is not a cloth but what has a shot through it.

1780.  Bentham, Introd. Mor. & Legisl., xiv. (1789), p. clxxxv. note. There are few madmen but what are observed to be afraid of the strait waistcoat.

1796.  Charlotte Smith, Marchmont, IV. 133. Not one of these insinuations but what gathered something from malevolence.

  b.  loosely as conjunctional phr.: But that, that … not (= BUT C. 12): see also BUT C. 30. colloq.

  ¶  In quot. 1807 exceptionally without preceding negative: = BUT C. 11 a.

1662.  [see BUT C. 30].

1753.  A. Murphy, Gray’s-Inn Jrnl., No. 43. There hardly arose an Incident, but what our Fellow-Traveller would repeat twenty or thirty Verses in a Breath.

1807.  W. Irving, Salmag., No. 9 (1824), 144. In vain did the wind whistle and the storm beat—my aunt would waddle through mud and mire, over the whole town, but what she would visit them.

1894.  Du Maurier, Trilby, VI. (1895), 284. Not but what many changes had been wrought.

1908.  R. Bagot, A. Cuthbert, xxi. 257. You should have kept quiet in the house to-day. Not but what you are certainly looking better than you did early this morning.

  6.  Used redundantly after than introducing a clause. dial. or vulgar.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxx. I think I laughed heartier then than what I do now.

  ** 7.  As simple relative (sing. or pl.): Which (or who); that. a. referring to a pron. (demonstr. or indef.), occas. to a noun; orig. introducing a dependent question in apposition with it (A. 6); esp., in later use only, in all what (now dial. or vulgar).

  Apparent instances in OE. are due to imitation of Latin:

[c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke vi. 3. Ne rædde ʓe þæt hwæt dauid dyde? (Vulg. nec hoc legistis quod fecit D.?).

11[?].  Ælfred’s Boethius, xl. § 7 (Bodl. MS.). Eall hwæt [Cott. MS. ꝥ] he willniaþ hi biʓitaþ.]

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1115. Nu ice wile shæwenn ȝuw all þatt whatt itt bitacneþþ.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4862. Þe king … wende toward bangor þo To destruye þe brutons, wat he founde mo.

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 86. He told þaim all what at he saw.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. ix. 191. Aftir al this what is tretid upon the firste … gouernauncis.

1532.  Tindale, Expos. Matt. v–vii. (c. 1550), 20 b. Here seist thou y^e vttermoost what a christen man must looke for.

1557.  North, trans. Gueuara’s Diall Pr., 244. They do al thinges what they lyst, and nothing what they ought.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., IV. vii. 14. To tell that what ye see needs not.

1597.  G. Harvey, Trimming of Nashe, Wks. (Grosart), III. 53. The beast Ephemeron, which … hath manie legs, foure wings, and all what Nature can affoord, to giue her expedition.

1645.  Fuller, Good Th. in Bad T. (1841), 36. For matter of language there is nothing what grace doth do, but wit can act.

1657.  S. Titus, Killing no Murder, 9. They … thought it not adultery what was committed with her.

1718.  Hickes & Nelson, J. Kettlewell, III. § 78. He continued Unmoveable in all what he Believed to be his Duty.

1740.  Richardson, Pamela, xxiii. I. 57. Do you think that so dutiful a Son as our Neighbour … does not pride himself, for all what he said at Table, in such a pretty Maiden?

1919.  J. B. Morton, Barber of Putney, xv. If I sat down to write a book, I’d want to shove in all what I saw.

  † b.  in dependence on a prep.; spec. in phr. for what (replacing OE. for hwon) = for which purpose or reason, wherefore. Obs.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 81. Þis monne me mei sermonen mid godes worde, for hwat he scal his sunne uor-saken and bileuen.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 2831. Ure preost … nohht ne mihhte trowwenn Þatt word tatt himm þurrh Gabriæl Wass seȝȝd o Godess hallfe, Forr whatt himm wass hiss spæche … Þurrh Drihhtin all biræfedd.

c. 1200.  Vices & Virtues, 39. Gif ðu na þing ne luuest … ðurh hwat ðu miht forliesen godes luue.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 66. Kumeð þe coue … & fret al þet of hwat heo schulde uorð bringen hir cwike briddes. Ibid., 382. He … bid me ofte techen him sum þing mid hwat he muhte his licome deruen.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2533. Hengist … him grantede … is doȝter abbe to wir, Vor ȝwat þe king ȝeue him þe contreie of kent.

a. 1300.  R. Gloucester’s Chron., 3451 (MS. B.). Hii vnder ȝete a welle … Of wat [MS. A. wan] þe king ofte dronk.

a. 1300.  Seven Sins, 11, in E. E. P. (1862), 19. Þi fair schrute mid whate þou art ischrid aboute.

  c.  gen. (Now dial. or vulgar.)

a. 1568.  Ascham, Scholem., II. (Arb.), 121. In folowyng so preciselie, either the matter what other men wrote, or els the maner how other men wrote.

1621.  Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), 34. To add that to the weight what the washers had taken away.

1668.  Wilkins, Real Char., 122. That incisure or resemblance of cutting what is common to most of them [sc. insects].

c. 1842.  in T. W. Reid, Life Forster (1888), I. v. 144. Be like Long Forster, what walked to Colne and back before breakfast.

1865.  Dickens, Mut. Fr., III. ii. Them’s her lights, Miss Abbey, wot you see a-blinking yonder.

  II.  adj. (sing. or pl., of things or persons; always as compound relative exc. in 10 b.)

  8.  That (or those) … which (or who); such as; often expressing quantity, So much (or many) … as: cf. C. 1, 2 a.

c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 1114. Fondes to do þe duk what duresse ȝe may.

a. 1400.  Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., 608. Tak what þing þe profred is Whon þou maiȝt redi haue.

1579.  Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 150. By what things I was conioyned vnto you, those things … I haue giuen vnto you.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, III. vi. 2. I will peece out the comfort with what addition I can.

1677.  in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 36. Lord Purbecke makes what hast he can to consume his ladie’s fortune by gameing.

1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 169, ¶ 1. Do we … destroy the use of what organs we have?

1795.  Southey, Joan of Arc, VI. 388. What few to guard the town Unwilling had remained, haste forth to meet The triumph.

1874.  Ruskin, Fors Clav., xlii. 129. I will take what indulgence the … reader will give me.

  9.  In generalized sense: Any … which (or who), any … that: = WHATEVER 2 b. Now only in certain collocations: cf. C. 4. Also = WHATEVER 3 b.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 311. What man seiþ heyl to siche antecristis shal haue part of heere werkis for assent þat he ȝiueþ.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. III. 34. What man þat me louyeþ and my wille folweþ, Shal haue grace.

1422.  E. E. Wills (1882), 50. I bequeth to what thenge þat is most necessary in þ^e same Chirch, v. marc.

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, X. xxxviii. 475. What Knyghte maye ouercome that Knyght … shal haue me and alle my landes.

1567.  Maplet, Gr. Forest, 101. Into what cleare Fountaine or Riuer he swimmeth, he infecteth it.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. vi. 3. Come what sorrow can.

1665.  Hooke, Microgr., 149. Provide a good large Box … and of what depth you shall judge convenient.

1712–4.  Pope, Rape Lock, I. 70. Spirits … Assume what sexes and what shapes they please.

1852.  Thoreau, Summer, 23 June. The red color of cattle also is agreeable in a landscape, or let them be what color they may.

1891.  Morris, Poems by Way, 126. Unmoved I stand what wind may blow.

  b.  with the generalized sense indicated by ever, so, soever, or somever following (now only, exc. with soever, immediately following: see WHATEVER, WHATSO, WHATSOEVER, WHATSOMEVER).

c. 1200.  Ormin, 10111. Whatt mann se itt iss Þatt hafeþþ tweȝȝenn kirrtless, Ȝife he þatt an þatt illke mann Þatt iss wiþþutenn kirrtell.

13[?].  Cursor M., 1149 (Gött.). To quat contre so þu wend, Sal þu na man find to freind.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., i. 1. (Harl. MS.). That knyȝt shall dye by my crafte, yn what cuntre of the wordle so euer þat he be ynne.

c. 1450.  Merlin, i. 5. In what nede that euer ye haue.

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, X. xli. 481. What knyght someuer he were that smote doune sir Palomydes shold haue his damoysel to hym self.

1472.  in P. H. Hore, Hist. Wexford (1900), I. 230. A strange marchaunt … what that ever condicion he be of.

1558.  Q. Kennedy, in Wodrow Soc. Misc. (1844), 98. Quhat sect or opinioun that evir thou be of.

1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., V. i. 82. By that same God, what God so ere it be.

1676.  Shadwell, Virtuoso, IV. 66. Let what harmony soever be between Lovers at first, in a short time it turns to scurvy jangling.

1716.  Pope, Iliad, VIII. 567. What Pow’r soe’er provokes our lifted Hand.

1822.  K. H. Digby, Broadstone Hon., Pref. p. v. The Gentlemen of England, of what rank or estate soever they may be.

1868.  Morris, Earthly Par. (1870), I. II. 460. All people ceased What talk they held soever.

  c.  Usually with soever, in indef. (non-relative) sense (cf. 4 d): Any … at all, any whatever: = WHATEVER 4 a, WHATSOEVER 3 a.

  In first quot. 1856 = some … or other.

1597.  J. Payne, Royal Exch., 18. Let all right belevers … be of good comforth vnder what cross or distress soever.

1608.  Chapman, Byron’s Conspir., V. i. Plays 1873, II. 243. Rise then for euer Quit of what guilt soeuer.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., I. ii. 44. I loue thee not a Iarre o’ th’ Clock, behind What Lady she her Lord.

1664.  Power, Exp. Philos., II. 91. At which Angle of Inclination the perpendicular will be equal to 29 inches, let the Tube be of what length soever.

1725.  De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 197. Not to come any nearer, upon what occasion soever.

1736.  Gentl. Mag., Dec., 721/2. Goods, Chattels, and Things of what Nature or Value soever.

1825.  Scott, Talism., xx. She wore not upon her person any female ornament of what kind soever.

1856.  Emerson, Eng. Traits, First Visit Eng. Mr. Landor … has a wonderful brain,… by what chance converted to letters. Ibid. Whatever is didactic—what theories of society, and so on,—might perish quickly.

1881.  Swinburne, Mary Stuart, I. ii. (1899), 52. We took in hand to cut this peril off By what close mean soe’er and what foul hands Unwashed of treason.

  10.  What time (later also † at what time), as conj. phr.: At the time, or at any time, at which; when; whenever. So what day. Now only poet.

1357.  Lay Folks’ Catech. (T.), 65. Teche tham thair childir … What tyme so thai er of eld to lere tham.

c. 1380.  Antecrist, in Todd, Three Treat. Wyclif (1851), 124. Seynt Jon … seide what tyme he lyved þat þenne weren many antecristis.

c. 1440.  Generydes, 4225. What tyme that eny kyng weddid shuld be,… The kyng and she shuld neuer togeder mete.

1535.  Coverdale, Zech. viii. 14. Like as I deuysed to punysh you, what tyme as youre fathers, prouoked me vnto wrath.

1637.  Milton, Lycidas, 28. What time the Gray-fly winds her sultry horn.

1648.  Evelyn, Lett. to R. Browne, 18 Dec. Abstaining from using uncivil terms at what time they differed in judgment.

1791.  Cowper, Iliad, XX. 190. What time the monster of the Deep pursued The Hero.

1885–94.  R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche, Sept. ii. Was the trial waged What day the Sirens with the Muses strove.

  † b.  (with what as simple rel.): At which time; when; and then. Obs.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 65. The kinges Ambassadors repulsed of the French king returned, at what tyme he sent another Ambassade vpon the lyke cause.

1630.  R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 128. I read … that it was builded … in the time of Edward the third of England; at what time our Kings … bad as yet nothing to doe in this Citie.

1653.  H. More, Antid. Ath., III. ix. § 3. He gave up the Ghost about the third hour of the night, at what time a black Cat … ran to his bed.

  III.  conj.

  † 11.  a. During the time that; while. Obs. rare.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 11. Muchel is us þenne neod…, wet we on þisse middelerd liuien, sod scrift.

  † b.  Up to the time that; till, until. (See also ALLWHAT.) Obs.

a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 235. Si laȝe … adiliȝede … wat hit com to þa time þe god sende þe halie witiȝe.

c. 1250.  Kent. Serm., in O. E. Misc., 30. Þu hest i-hialde þet beste wyn wat nu.

c. 1315.  Shoreham, V. 245. Fram crystes resurreccioun, Wat comeþ hys ascensioun.

13[?].  Guy Warw. (A.), 4902. In þat cite þai bi-leued þere What Tirry was hole & fere.

c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 5022. No fined þai neuer swiche a sleiȝt, What þai to Gaheriet com riȝt.

1340.  Ayenb., 87. Wyþoute comynge ayen of huyche þinges, non ne is ury in þise wordle, huet hi is y-do.

  12.  To the extent that; as much as, so far as. (Cf. C. 2 a, 8.) Obs. exc. dial.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 35. Ector … Caste on a day wiþ Grekes for to fighte As he was woned to greue hem what he myghte.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 1794. He … welcomyt hym worthely as a wegh noble, And fraynit hym with frendship qwat the fre wold.

1561.  T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, III. (1577), Q viij b. As thoughe shee woulde … allure what she can the eyes and affection of whoso beholdeth hyr.

1647.  Ward, Simple Cobler (1843), 52. I speak these things to excuse, what I may, my Countrymen in the hearts of all.

1690.  Penn, Rise & Progr. Quakers (1834), 6. They changed what they could, the kingdom of Christ … into a worldly kingdom.

  † 13.  (? after F. que … ou.) Whether (with correl. or).

c. 1550.  Rolland, Crt. Venus, I. 797. Befoir my Maiestie … Or my deputis quhat thay be greit or small.

  D.  Indefinite (non-relative) uses.

  I.  pron. (sb.). † 1. Something; anything: only OE. exc. as surviving in phrases in which what is qualified by a quantitative or identifying word, (sometimes a genitive), e.g., ANYWHAT, ELSEWHAT OE. elles hwæt), LITTLE-WHAT (OE. lýtles hwæt, ME. litles what, what litles, LITTLE B. 3 c), MANYWHAT, MOSTwhat, MUCHWHAT (also mickle what, MICKLE A. 3), NOWHAT, OTHERWHAT, SOMEWHAT, q.v., whence was evolved a subst. use of what = thing. All what: all sorts of things. Obs.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 9035. & ȝet forr all an oþerr whatt Seȝȝde þe laffdiȝ Marȝe, Þatt Josæp Cristess fadert wass. Ibid., 18553. Þatt all þatt strenedd iss off Godd, Off Godess aȝhenn kinde, All iss itt all þatt illke whatt Þatt Godd iss inn himm sellfenn.

c. 1290.  St. Edmund, 408, in S. Eng. Leg., 412. Ȝwat lutles it was þat he et, was al of grete þingue.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 5963. Ȝyf þou receyuedyst any what Of one þat hys þyng forgat.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., IV. pr. vi. 104 (Camb. MS.). She a lytel what smylynge.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 98. Florent … syh this vecke wher sche sat, Which was the lothlieste what That evere man caste on his yhe.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 3046. So fell fliȝt was of flanys … Of arrows & of all quat.

1562.  J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 112. Doo, say, or syng, in any what, Thou art a minion marmsat.

1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., July, 31. Come downe, and learne the little what, that Thomalin can sayne. Ibid. (1596), F. Q., V. ix. 7. They … gaue him for to feed Such homely what, as serues the simple clowne.

  II.  adv. or conj.

  (Often, esp. in early examples, capable of being construed as a pronoun = ‘some.’)

  2.  Introducing (a) each, or (b) only the first, of two or more alternative or co-ordinate words or phrases: (a) what … what, (b) what … and († as, † so) = Some … others; both … and; including … and; as well … as; partly … partly. Now rare exc. with special implication (see b).

  (a)  a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 237. Of þe folce we siggeð þat hit cumþ fastlice … wat frend, wat fa.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1152. Hor folc hii lore … Wat in bataile, wat in þe se, and hore hors nei echon. Ibid., 5548. Wat þoru is stalwardhede, wat þoru godes grace, Mony was þe gode body, þat he slou. Ibid., 8289. Wat adreint, wat aslawe, tuelf princes þer were ded.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2293. Quat for luue and quat for doute. Ibid., 3907. Quat of his wiues tuin in spus, And wat of hand wimmen in hus, Tuelue suns had he o þaa.

c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 8873. What wiþ wristling, wat wiþ togging, What wiþ smiteing & wiþ skirminge, On boþe half so þai wrouȝten, Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten.

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, III. 968. The thinges that I herde there What a lovde, and what in ere.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxv. 118. Fyfty comacy of men, what of hors men, what of fote men.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. viii. 189. He schal, what in the firste partie, and what in the ij^e. partie, fynde herto proof ynouȝ.

1531.  Tindale, Prol. Jonas, Wks. (1573), 28/2. All the noble bloud was slayne vp, and halfe the commons thereto, what in Fraunce, and what with their owne sword, in fightyng among them selues for the crowne.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron. Hen. IV., 13 b. These Lordes had much people folowing them what for feare and what for entreatie.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 634. The Severn sea … what beeing driven backe … with a Southwest winde, and what with a verie strong pirrie from the sea troubling it, swelled [etc.].

1654.  Earl Monm., trans. Bentivoglio’s Wars Flanders, 122. Most of the Kings ships which, what great, what little, were about forty.

1670.  Cotton, Espernon, II. VIII. 350. A hundred and fifty Horse (what Gentlemen, and what of his own Guards).

a. 1693.  Urquhart’s Rabelais, III. i. 19. Seven Children at the least (what Male what Female) were brought forth.

1819.  Scott, Ivanhoe, xxvi. I conceive they may be—what of yeomen—what of commons, at least five hundred men.

  (b)  c. 1400.  Maundev. (1919), xxviii. 170. What on horse & on fote, mo þan CC. Ml. persones.

1442.  Beckington’s Jrnl. (1828), 101. There is in pypes, what in the towne so in the castel, moo than CC legge herneys.

c. 1450.  Brut, II. 483. What of rayne, thondere and lightnyng and hayll.

c. 1500.  Melusine, 240. Many riche rayments … were made what for the spouse as for the ladyes & damoyselles. Ibid., 266. About xviii. C what balesters as Archers.

1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., III. iii. The very perfect bryghtnes, What of the tower, and of the cleare sunne.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccxxiv. 119 b/1. They rode so long what night and day.

1670.  Cotton, Espernon, III. IX. 441. They had been mann’d out with above four hundred and fifty, what Mariners, and Souldiers.

  b.  Introducing advb. phrases formed with prepositions (in the earliest periods chiefly for, later usually, now almost always, with), implying (in early use only contextually) ‘in consequence of, on account of, as a result of; in view of, considering (one thing and another).’

  In quot. 1591 without alternative: what for simply = ‘for, because of.’

  (a)  c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 145. Alle we beoð in monifald wawe … hwat for ure eldere werkes, hwat for ure aȝene gultes.

c. 1290.  Beket, 391, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 117. Ȝwat for eiȝe, ȝwat for loue, no man him ne with-seide.

1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 7100. What for sorow, and what thurgh smoke And what thurgh cald, and what thurgh hete … þai salle ay grete.

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1743. What for hungyr, what for thriste, Þe shipmen of na lykyng lyste.

1476.  Paston Lett., III. 161. I ame somewhatt crased, what with the see and what wythe thys dyet heer.

1552.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, II. (1895), 116. The .ii. corners, what wythe fordys and shelues, and what with rockes, be very ieoperdous.

1570.  Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), 209/2. What for the pillage of the Danes, and what by inward theues and bribers: this land was brought into great affliction.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., I. ii. 83. What with the war; what with the sweat, what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am Custom-shrunke.

a. 1672.  Wilkins, Nat. Relig., I. iii. (1675), 36. What through their vicious affections…; what through their inadvertency or neglect … they are not to be convinced.

1673.  Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 181. The Penalty of the Bonds should have differ’d, what in case he run the Subject only into Errour, and what in case of Sin.

1678.  J. Williams, Hist. Gunp.-Treas., 18. What for avoiding the Report of too much Credulity,… what from the care of doing any thing that might redound to the blemish of the Earl of Northumberland,… it was resolved [etc.].

1756.  Monitor, No. 35. I. 325. What by … diminution of trade: what by the immense weight of taxes;… some were actually ruined.

1819.  Scott, Ivanhoe, xliv. Athelstane’s spirit of revenge, what between the natural indolent kindness of his own disposition, what through the prayers of his mother Edith … had terminated [etc.].

1842.  De Quincey, Mod. Greece, Wks. 1890, VII. 331. What through banks, and what through policemen, the concern has dwindled to nothing.

1865.  Kingsley, Herew., ii. The track, what with pack-horses’ feet, and what with the wear and tear of five hundred years’ rainfall, was a rut three feet deep and two feet broad.

  (b)  c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 46. The foweles … What for the seson and the yonge grene Ful loude songen hire affeccions.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XVIII. 85. What þorw werre and wrake and wycked hyfdes.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 781. Quat of stamping of stedis & stering of bernes, All dymed þe dale.

c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., 3173. What by-cause of þe hele of þis gode wyff, & also of þe meracle þe whiche þer was do.

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 13. What for calde & for holdyng in þe watir, I was nere-hand slayn.

1579.  Twyne, Phis. agst. Fortune, I. xxx. 41. What by the wonderfulnesse and number of the woorkes, there was nothyng in all the whole world to be wondred at, but Rome.

1591.  Greene, Maiden’s Dream, 154. She … wrong out sighes so sore: That what for grief her tongue could speak no more.

1665.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 166. What by Themistocles on shore, and Leonidas at Sea, at Salamis and Thermopylæ, his huge Army melted away.

1702.  De Foe, Shortest Way w. Dissenters, 29. Alas the Church of England! What with Popery on one Hand, and Schismaticks on the other; Now has she been Crucify’d between two Thieves.

1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ., Fragment, I. 106. What for poisons, conspiracies and assassinations…, there was no going there by day—’twas worse by night.

1822.  Cobbett, Cott. Econ. (1823), § 108. What of Excise Laws and Custom Laws and Combination Laws and Libel Laws, a human being … scarcely knows what he dares do or … say.

1867.  Parkman, Jesuits in N. Amer., xxiii. (1875), 346. What with hunting, fishing, canoe-making, and bad weather, the progress of the august travellers was so slow.

1870.  Dasent, Ann. Eventful Life, xxxvi. Aunt Mandeville,… what between the White Lady and the warm verses, was quite upset.

  ^*_*^*  For other indefinite (non-relative) uses see C. 4 d, 9 c.

  E.  Substantival nonce-uses (from A., B., C.).

  1.  The question ‘What?,’ ‘What is it?,’ or the like, or the answer to such question; the essence or substance of the thing in question.

1656.  Cowley, Pindar. Odes, Extasie, vi. An unexhausted Ocean of delight Swallows my senses quite, And drowns all What, or How, or Where.

1796.  Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, V. vi. ‘What, ma’am?—how?—what?—’ ‘Nay, nay, don’t be frightened. Come down to dinner, and we’ll talk over the hows? and the whats? afterwards.

1832.  Motley, in Corr. (1889), I. 18. I was summoned before the Senate of the University, and then wrote my name and my whences and whats, etc., etc., in a great book.

1844.  L. Hunt, Blue-Stocking Revels, II. 171, Poems 114. My lady will know all the what and the why.

1861.  J. Brown, Horæ Subsec., Ser. II. 101. Desiring to divine the essences rather than the appearances of things—in search of the what chiefly in order to question it, make it give up at whatever cost the secret of its why.

1884.  trans. Lotze’s Metaph., 431. It must seem utterly inconceivable that we should ask for the ‘what’ of a thing, and yet look for the answer in anything except that which this thing is and does.

  2.  A something.

1654.  R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 149. We have seen the Pittifull who’s, and in short the slender whats are against modest Learning in Religious Division.

1903.  A. Maclaren, Last Sheaves, 54. We are not seeking a What; we are seeking a Whom.

  3.  An instance of the exclamation ‘What!’

1779.  Warner, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), IV. 254. His partner … gave … a ‘What!’ of such sharp, shrill astonishment, that you could not but have laughed at it.

1785.  Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, 16 Dec. The What! was then repeated.