adv., conj. Also poet. whensoe’er. [f. prec. + EVER adv.; cf. SOEVER.] = WHENEVER 1.
c. 1320. Cast. Love (Halliw.), 177. Thet whensoever the appul he ȝete, Thorwhe deth that lyfe he shulde forlete.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 532. To … whom-so-euer or which-so-euer and whan-so-euer he wolde yeve bequeth … hit.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, d ij b. Whensoeuer and whersoeuer thay se any tame Dookes.
1526. Tindale, Mark xiv. 7. Ye shall have povre with you all wayes: and when soever ye will, ye maye do them goode.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 158. What he with all probation will make vp full cleare Whensoeuer he’s conuented.
c. 1716. South, Serm., James iii. 16, Wks. 1727, V. 397. Whensoever the Romans conquered an Enemy, it was indeed the General himself only, who was said to triumph.
1815. W. H. Ireland, Scribbleomania, 20. Whensoever Mr. Southey issues from the press, we find him arrayed in a different costume.
1819. Shelley, Peter Bell 3rd, V. x. 3. Whensoever he should please, He could speak of rocks and trees In poetic metre.
1853. Rock, Ch. Fathers, III. II. 51. The bishop first blessed the attire with which those ministers were to be arrayed whensoever they had to go about their holy office.
b. ellipt. with loss of relative force: At any time.
1604. Shaks., Ham., V. ii. 210 (Qo. 2). If his fitnes speakes, mine is ready: now or when soeuer, prouided I be so able as now.
1651. trans. Life Father Paul Sarpi, 10. Either rising from the board, or from his bed at midnight, or whensoever applying himself wholly … to the subject.
