Forms: see below. [OE. hwæþer and hweþer, corresp. to OFris. hwed(d)er, h(w)oder, ho(e)r (NFris. wader), OS. hweðar one of two, whether, OHG. hwedar, wedar which of two, neut. whether, either, (MHG. weder, surviving in G. weder neither), ON. hvaðarr, nom. pl. hvárer (whence sing. hvárr), which of two, each, neut. whether (Sw. hvar each, mod. Icel. hvorr), Goth. hwaþar which of two:—OTeut. *χwaþaraz,we-, f. χwa-, χwe- WHO + comp. suffix (Indo-eur. -tero-) as in OTHER (cf. Skr. katará-, Gr. πότερος, Lith. katràs). Either (OE. ǽʓhwæþer) is a compound of whether. With forms of the γ-type cf. OHG. diu hwiduru, thohwidaro THOUGH-WHETHER, early mod.G. wider neither; with forms of the δ-type OFris. hwoder; and with forms of the ε-type OFris. hoer, hor (but in ME. north. texts hwor may represent ON. hvárr).] A. Illustration of Forms.

1

  α.  1 hwæðer, -þer, -der, 1–3 hwaþer, 3 whæðer, whaðer, -der, (wahðer), 3–4 waþer, 4 quaþer.

2

8[?].  in O. E. Texts, 444. Sue hwaeder suae. Ibid., 452. Hwaðer.

3

900–30.  O. E. Chron., an. 894 (Parker MS.). Bi swa hwaþerre efes swa hit þonne fierdleas wæs.

4

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John iv. 33. Hwæðer æniʓ man him mete brohte?

5

c. 1205.  Lay., 20877. Whæðer [c. 1275 waþer] swa ich wulle don oðer slæn oðer ahon. Ibid., 23593–5. Whaðer unkere … wahðer vinkere.

6

13[?].  Cursor M., 13596 (Gött.). To mistrouu … Quaþer forwid blind al had he bene.

7

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 486. Waþer þe wil or no.

8

  β.  1 hueðer, 1–3 hweðer, -þer, 3 weðer, -þer, queðer, (ȝweðer, -ur), Orm. wheþþr, 4 wheiþer, queþer, quedir, -ur, Sc. quhethyr(e, 4–5 wheþer, -ire, -ur(e, whethere, -ir(e, -yr, wethir, quether, -þir, whedir, -ur, queder, 4–6 wheder, Sc. quhethir, quhedir, 4–7 wheither, 5 whethur, wheithir, whedere, -yr(e, wedir, quethire, -ur, qweþer, -ther, -þire, Sc. quheþer, -ir, quheythir, qwheþir, -dyr, -yar, 5–6 wheddur, 6, 9 dial. -er, Sc. quhether, 4– whether.

9

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, cxxxviii[i]. 24. Et vide si via iniquitatis in me est, & ʓeseh hweðer weʓ unrehtwisnisse in me is.

10

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xxvii. 17. Quem uultis dimittam uobis, hueðerne wallas ʓie ic forleto iowh?

11

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1101. Loc hweðer þæra ʓebroðra oðerne oferbide.

12

c. 1200.  Ormin, 526. Illc an hird wel wisste inoh, Wheþþr itt to serrfenn shollde [etc.].

13

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 155. On is weðer þe eorðe beo bicumeliche to þe sede, þat oðer weðer hit beo riht time þer to.

14

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1471. Queðer here sulde birðen bi-foren.

15

c. 1290.  St. Austin, 60, in S. Eng. Leg., 25. Are ich habbe more vnderȝite: ȝweþur þis Message beo trewe.

16

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 44. Quedur [v.rr. queþer, wheþer] þai be worthi or bale or bote.

17

c. 1300.  Havelok, 2098. Betere is i go miself, and se Hweþer he sitten nou, and wesseylen.

18

13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1109. Sware with trawþe, Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþer better.

19

13[?].  Northern Passion, 1006 (Camb. Gg. 5. 31). Wheder he will hym safe or spyll.

20

c. 1325.  Spec. Gy Warw., 272. Wheiþer þeih wolen, or þeih nelle.

21

1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 1829. He es uncertayne Whether he sal wend til ioy or payne.

22

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Petrus), 421. Quhedir he A lele man or a lear be.

23

c. 1420.  Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903), 276. Þo iewys kestyn at þe dys Qweþer xuld han hys cloth.

24

1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 5. The ferde questioun is quheythir bataill be lefull to be done.

25

c. 1500.  Lancelot, 1186. Qwheyar if yone bee Our presoner, my consell Is we see.

26

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxiv. 195 b/1. The kynge lende or gaue him I can nat tell wheder, a .lx. thousande frankes.

27

1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxi. 31. Whedder of these ij fulfylled there fathers wyll?

28

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 80. Quhedir he be pape or patriarch.

29

1585.  Jas. I., Ess. Poesie (Arb.), 60. Quhether the lyne be lang or short.

30

  γ.  (1 hwiðer), 4 whydyr, 5 whyder, qwydyr, 5–6 Sc. quhither, 5–7 Sc. quhidder, 6 Sc. whidder, quhiddir, qwhider, 6–7 whither, 7 Sc. quither.

31

9[?].  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xliv. 330 (Cott. MS.). Hwonne bið ðæt, ðæt ðu nyte hwiðer ðu maran wilniʓe?

32

13[?].  Lay Folks’ Catech. (L.), 1258. Noman wot whydyr he may be worþy to haue hate or loue of god.

33

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet (verse), 92. Here may we chese, Whyder we our-self wyll saue or lese.

34

1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, I. xviii. 48. Whither comest thow to chyrche to slepe or to wake?

35

c. 1460.  Metham, Wks. (1916), 146. Qwydyr y[t] schuld preue fayr or foule.

36

c. 1480.  Henryson, Sheep & Dog, 1199 (Harl. MS.). Quhidder the scheip suld answer in iugement Before the wolf.

37

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 144. Quhither it wes, thairof haif I no feill.

38

1546.  Suppl. Poore Commons (E.E.T.S.), 4. Whither this lawe be indifferent or not.

39

1583.  Leg. Bp. St. Androis, 285. Whidder hir malisone tuike effect, Or gif it was the gude wyne sect.

40

1614.  Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, iii. (title), Ane reply to I cair not quither I get hir or no.

41

a. 1699.  J. Beaumont, Psyche, XVIII. cix. Yet whither you will bow down your consent To our meek Doctrines.

42

  δ.  4 woþer, wother.

43

13[?].  Northern Passion, 1984 (Camb. Gg. 1. 1). Ihesus … bad scho suld to Petir gane … Wother a ben in boure or halle.

44

a. 1400.  R. Glouc. Chron. (1724), 388. Woþer of hem tueye lenger alyue were.

45

  ε.  contr. 3 whær, wer(e, ware, 3–5 whar, 4 hwere, hwor, war, quer(e, 4–7 wher, (9 dial.) where, 5 wherr’, quar, quare, 7 wher’.

46

  Editors of Shakespeare have printed whér, whe’er, and whe’r, with no authority from the folios or quartos.

47

c. 1205.  Lay., 13839. Of eou ich wulle iwiten … whar ȝe wullen beon treowe. Ibid., 18545. Ah inæt whær [c. 1275 ware] heo hine luuede.

48

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2747. He esste at is clerkes, were it to leue were. Ibid., 6923. Þe king hire esste sturneliche wer heo wolde þe dom do.

49

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13451. I dar noght sai Quere þis was þat ilk or nai. Ibid., 23803. We haf us forwit waies tua, þe tan to wel, þat toþer wa, Quer we will freli mai we ta.

50

c. 1300.  Havelok, 1119. Godrich … seyde, ‘hwor þou wilt be Quen and leuedi ouer me?’

51

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 84. Ony synful wrecche, þat wot neuere where he schal be dampnyd or sauyd.

52

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 1381. Þat mayde … askede war he hed On his body any wounde.

53

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1539. Ne reccheth neuere wher I synke or fleete.

54

1462[?].  Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 55. Where ye wil come in to Devenshire to abide other no.

55

1567.  Turberv., Ovid’s Ep., xv. (? 1580), M iv. I doubtfull stoode where powre or vertue were the best of twaine.

56

1595.  Shaks., John, I. i. 75. But where I be as true begot or no.

57

1618.  Wither, Motto, Nec Habeo, 196. I care not wher’ they thinke I loue or no.

58

1660.  Wood, Life (O. H. S.), I. 334. The captain … asked him where he was willing to shed blood.

59

1825.  Jennings, Obs. Dial. W. Eng., 180. I’ll hirn auver an zee where I can’t help ’em.

60

  B.  Signification.

61

  I.  pron. and adj. Which of the two. Obs., arch., or dial.

62

  Occas. used loosely of more than two: cf. EITHER A. 2 c, 4 c. The pron. is occas. found with the gen. inflexion -es, -s.

63

  1.  In direct questions. a. pron.

64

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 31. Hwæðer þara tweʓra dyde þæs fæder willan?

65

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 284. Hweðeres fere wult tu beon? Ibid., 364. Of two men, hweðer is wisure?

66

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14045. Queþer o þir tua aght luue him mare?

67

c. 1400.  Laud Troy Bk., 3477. And whether schulde Mayster be, Thei of Grece or Troye Cite?

68

1528.  More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 163/2. Whether of them would ye beleue best?

69

1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 73. There is both a reading and a preaching ministerie: whether doe you prefer before the other?

70

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, IV. v. 23. Whether doest thou professe thy selfe, a knaue, or a foole?

71

1662.  H. More, Antid. Ath., II. xi. § 13 (1712), 78. Whether of them, think you, is the plainer pledge of a knowing and a designing Providence?

72

1753.  Richardson, Grandison (1754), II. v. 71. Perturbations delightful, or undelightful, Harriet, whether?

73

1872.  Tennyson, Gareth & Lynette, 333. Whether would ye? gold or field?

74

  b.  adj. (rare.)

75

1629.  Gaule, Pract. Theories Christ, 115. We know which Sex Fell first; whether can boast of more honour in the Recouerie?

76

1671.  H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 524. Whether thing is heavier water or wine?

77

  2.  In indirect questions, or dependent clauses of similar meaning (Cf. note s.v. WHAT A. I**.)

78

  a.  pron.

79

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., I. 256. Ʒif man openað deaddra manna byrgynu, nast ðu hwæðer beoð þæs rican mannes ban, hwæðer þæs ðearfan.

80

c. 1055.  Byrhtferth’s Handboc, in Anglia, VIII. 303. Cweð hwæðer þe selre þince.

81

c. 1200.  Moral Ode, 240 (Trin. Coll. MS.). Niten hweðer hem doð wers.

82

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2564. Me nuste to weþer hii bicome þe children þat hii bere.

83

1357.  Lay Folks’ Catech. (L.), 970. Ilke man þat haþ resun wot wheþer ys better to chese.

84

1424.  Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 35. Þe processe is … retournable at þe oeptes or þe quinzisme, I not qwether.

85

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, VII. xvii. 238. There was none that beheld them myghte knowe whether was lyke to wynne the bataill.

86

a. 1568.  Ascham, Scholem., I. (Arb.), 82. Now new, now olde, now both, now neither, To serue the worldes course, they care not with whether.

87

1613.  Jackson, Creed, I. II. x. § 3. They did not rightly apprehend the manner of the worlds destruction by them, nor whethers course was first passed.

88

1624.  Massinger, Parlt. Love, I. v. I am troubled With the toothach, or with love, I know not whether.

89

1726.  Swift, Gulliver, II. i. We came in full View of a great Island or Continent, (for we knew not whether).

90

a. 1794.  Sir W. Jones, in Parr’s Wks. (1828), VII. 210. It is indifferent to me, as a friend to the people, whether of the two sit in Parliament.

91

1852.  Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. xii. (1857), 172. The question … whether of the two sections held the abstract right.

92

  b.  adj.

93

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., III. i. § 6. Þæt is mid Crecum þeaw þæt mid ðæm worde bið ʓecyþed hwæðer healf hæfð þonne siʓe.

94

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 773. He nuste to ȝweþer doȝter betere truste þo.

95

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 217. Whan the fader … sih to whether side it drowh.

96

1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), V. 405. The manifestacion of a notable signe wheder parte awe to be folowede.

97

1598.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. i. I. Eden, 655. What children there [sc. in Eden] they earned, and how many, Of whether sex.

98

1613.  Day, Dyall, ix. (1614), 218. A controversie there is which they are that are in whither Table.

99

1656.  Bramhall, Replic., i. 43. Whether the separation be criminous, whether party made the first separation,… whether side gave the cause,… is not so easy to be discerned.

100

1690.  T. Burnet, Rev. Th. Earth, 46. You know in whether Scale the Natural Reasons are to be laid.

101

1702.  H. Dodwell, Apol., in S. Parker, Cicero’s De Finibus, a 8. The Dispute … whether Life is the more to be preferred, the Active, or the Contemplative.

102

  c.  Phr. whether is whether, which is which (of the two). Obs. or dial.

103

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 3447. Þan wete men neuer, wheþer ys wheþer.

104

c. 1375.  Cursor M., 9290 (Fairf.). Wele salle he knaw queþer is quilk.

105

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., IV. ix. 10. She vneath discerned, whether whether weare.

106

1828.  Craven Gloss., s.v. Whether, I cannot tell whether is whether.

107

  3.  In generalized or indef. sense: Whichever of the two: (a) as comp. relative, the implied antecedent belonging to the principal clause; (b) introducing a qualifying clause: No matter which of the two. a. pron.

108

  (a)  c. 1205.  Lay., 23593. Whaðer unkere swa beoð þere sone he bið þe laðere.

109

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7967. Hii acordede … Þat weþer of hom tueye lengore aliue were Þat he ssolde be oþeres eir.

110

13[?].  Cursor M., 7463 (Gött.). And queþer may oþer ouercome in feild, Þe toþer folk all to him helde.

111

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wife’s T., 371. Now chese your seluen wheither þat yow liketh.

112

c. 1430.  Two Cookery-bks., 33. Serue it forth for a potage, or for a gode Bakyn mete, wheder þat þou wolt.

113

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, I. (1895), 86. To kepe still the one of this .ii. kingdomes, whether he would.

114

1611.  Bible, Ecclus. xv. 17. Before man is life and death, and whether him liketh shalbe giuen him.

115

1663.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 333. You are to prsent noe … p’son both for lands and goods, but for whethr you estimate to be of the better value.

116

1692.  Bentley, Boyle Lect., v. 29. Let them take whether they will.

117

1764.  Eliza Moxon, Engl. Housew. (ed. 9), 123. Put it into your sillabub-glasses or pots, whether you have.

118

  (b)  a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2463. Queder þou ches, on right or left, I sal ta me þat þou haues left.

119

c. 1400.  Gamelyn, 249. Weþer þat it be, He þat comes ones in þine hande schal he neuer þe.

120

1583.  Greene, Mamillia, 1. It was in doubt, whether he wanne more fauour for his wit, or feare for his ryches:… but sure whether it were, he had gayned the heartes of all the people.

121

1632.  Brome, Novella, II. ii. There is some hidden vertue in this fellow, Or dangerous ill: but whether let it be.

122

  b.  adj.

123

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 404. Wheþer pope men nennen, þei bileven not þat he is Cristis viker.

124

c. 1430.  Hymns Virgin, 32. Bothe ȝonge & oolde, wheþir ȝe be, in cristis name good cheer ȝe make.

125

1523–34.  Fitzherb., Husb., § 144. Nowe arte thou at thy lyberty, to chose whether waye thou wylt.

126

1600.  Holland, Livy, V. i. 179. It seemed, whether part were vanquished, should come to finall destruction.

127

1654.  Gataker, Disc. Apol., 15. But cal the day by which, or whether term of them you please.

128

1671.  J. Webster, Metallogr., i. 3. Whether way soever it be taken, it is apparent [etc.].

129

  † c.  With the indef. sense expressed by adding an intensive adv.: see WHETHEREVER, WHETHERSO, WHETHERSOEVER, WHETHERSUM. Obs.

130

  II.  conj.

131

  1.  As an interrogative particle introducing a disjunctive direct question, expressing a doubt between alternatives. Usually with correlative or; occas. repeated before the second alternative (cf. 3). Obs. or rare arch.

132

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 25. Hwæðer wæs iohannes fulluht, þe of heofonum, þe of mannum? Ibid., Luke v. 23. Hwæðer is eðre to cweþenne, þe synd þine synna forʓyfene; hwæþer þe cweþan, aris & ga?

133

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 12292. Leif sun, me sai, Queþer þou put barn or nai?

134

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xxvii. 17. Whom wole ȝee, I leeue, or delyuere, to ȝou? wher Barabas, or Jhesu.

135

c. 1400.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), I. xxx. (1859), 34. Whether shal the lord refuse this seruaunt either els he shal receyue hym?

136

1535.  Lyndesay, Satyre, 2255. Sir, quhidder is ȝour pardon black, or blew?

137

1595.  Shaks., John, I. i. 134. Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge,… Or the reputed sonne of Cordelion? Ibid. (1596), Merch. V., III. ii. 117. Moue these eies? Or whether riding on the bals of mine Seeme they in motion?

138

1610.  Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, X. xxvi. (1620), 375. Whether would he haue us subiect to those Angels that declare the wil of the Father vpon earth, or into him whose will they declare?

139

1713.  Berkeley, Hylas & Phil., I. (1725), 5. Whether does Doubting consist in embracing the Affirmative or Negative Side of a Question?

140

a. 1822.  Shelley, Ion, Pr. Wks. 1888, II. 115. Whether do you demonstrate these things better in Homer or Hesiod?

141

  † b.  Introducing an alternative statement, or standing at the end of a disjunctive question or phrase with or (cf. EITHER B. 5). Obs. rare.

142

13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 203. Wheþer hade he no helme ne hawbergh nauþer,… Ne no schafte, ne no schelde,… Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe.

143

1599.  Shaks., etc., Pass. Pilgr., vii. 17. Was this a louer, or a Letcher whether?

144

1608.  Bp. Hall, Pharis. & Chr. (1609), B 3. The Sect (or order whether) of the Phariseis ceassed with the Temple.

145

  † 2.  Introducing a simple direct question, thus becoming a mere sign of interrogation (but often with verb in subjunctive, and almost always without inversion of subject and verb, as if depending on a principal clause understood: cf. 4). Obs.

146

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xx. 15. Hwæþer þe þin eaʓe manful ys, forþam þe ic god eom?

147

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5178. Lauerd! quer i sal him euer se?

148

c. 1300.  Havelok, 292. Godrich … seyde, ‘Hweþer she sholde be Quen and leuedi ouer me?’

149

13[?].  Bonaventura’s Medit., 102. Eche loked on ouþer … And seyd, ‘lorde wheþer hyt be y?’

150

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xiii. 55. Wher is nat this the son of a smyth, or carpenter? Wher his modir be nat seid Marie?

151

c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., 1213. Wher þe holy gost wolnot as gladlyche wone Vnder a mantyl y-furned wt beuer … As vnder a mantyl y-furned wt a row gotus felle?

152

1483.  Cath. Angl., 415/2. Whedirnot, eciam, numquid, nonne.

153

1549.  Latimer, 1st Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 38. Whither wyl he alowe a subiect to much?… Whether haue any man here in England to much?

154

1588.  A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 67. Quhat is Baptisme? and quhidder it be necessare to all mankynd?

155

  3.  Introducing a disjunctive dependent question or its equivalent expressing doubt, choice, etc., between alternatives: usually with correlative or († other,þe, etc.). Sometimes repeated after (or without) or before the second or later alternative. Often with verb in subjunctive (and so in following senses); also with to and inf.

156

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 120. Eft ða Gregorius befran, hwæðer þæs landes folc cristen wære ðe hæðen.

157

c. 1205.  Lay., 905. Þer wes moni riche mon þe cuðe lutel reden weðer [c. 1275 waþer] heom weore wnsumre to faren þe to wonien.

158

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 2312. Loke nu … hweðer þe beo leouere don þat ich þe leare … oðer þis ilke dei … deien.

159

c. 1250.  Gen. & Exod., 3272. Egipcienes woren in twired wen queðer he sulden folȝen or flen.

160

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4507. In woch half turne he nuste þo weþer est þe west.

161

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4918. Now wel is sene Queþer þat yee be fule or clone. Ibid., 13451 [see A. ε].

162

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 268. And where he be sauf or nouȝt sauf þe sothe wote no clergye.

163

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 499 [487]. ‘Wostow’ quod he ‘wher this be wif or maide?’

164

1412–20.  Lydg., Chron. Troy, III. 4866. She lokkid hym vnder swiche a keye, Þat he wot nat wher to lyue or deye.

165

1528.  More, Dyaloge, II. Wks. 177/2. There was principally in question whither woorshyppyng of ymages … were lawfull or not.

166

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 172. The Scottis than weill wist nocht in that caice, Quhidder to byde or follow on the chace.

167

1580.  Lyly, Euphues, Wks. 1902, II. 176. If I shoulde aske you whether in the making of a good sworde, yron were more to bee required, or steele.

168

1610.  Shaks., Temp., V. i. 123. Whether this be, Or be not, I’le not sweare.

169

1658.  W. Burton, Anton. Itin., 102. There remain yet two doubts: First, whether this Prætenture, or Wall, was made of Stone, or of Turfs.

170

1707.  Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 63. He does not remember whether every Grain came up or not.

171

1819.  Shelley, Lett., Prose Wks. 1888, II. 292. I am exceedingly interested in the question of whether this attempt of mine will succeed or no.

172

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 464. His neighbours might well doubt whether it were more dangerous to be at war or at peace with him.

173

1872.  Morley, Voltaire, i. 3. More than two generations had almost ceased to care whether there be any moral order or not.

174

  4.  By suppression of the second alterative, whether comes to introduce a simple dependent question, and becomes the ordinary sign of indirect interrogation = IF 9.

175

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvi. 25. Cwyst þu, lareow, hwæðer ic hyt si? Ibid., xxvii. 49. Utun ʓeseon hwæþer helias cume & wylle hyne alysan.

176

a. 1023.  Wulfstan, Hom., xlvi. (1883), 233. Ðonne se ðe oðerne tælan wille, þonne … beþence [he] hine sylfne … hwæðer hine ne mæʓe æniʓ man ʓetælan.

177

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 121. Lokiað hweðer enies monnes sar beo iliche mine sare.

178

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6471. Me ne dar noȝt esse, weþer he were kene þo & prout.

179

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13097. Yee ask him if he be þat gom Þat for man sauuete suld com,… Or his word he send vs þan Queþer we sal bide a-noþer man?

180

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Squire’s T., 571. Wher me was wo, that is no question I kan nat make of it discripsion.

181

c. 1395.  Plowman’s T., 834. Ech man loke whether that I ly.

182

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, VII. xx. 244. He mette with a poure man … & asked hym whether he mette not with a knyghte.

183

1521.  Fisher, Serm. agst. Luther, iv. Wks. (1876), 317. Se now here wheder chryst was not the mouthe of Peter whan he promoted his cause.

184

1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxxvii. § 9. Some are doubtfull whether any man may seeke for it [sc. the ministry] without offence.

185

1616.  B. Jonson, Epigr., xcvi. Who shall doubt, Donne, where I a Poet bee, When I dare send my Epigrammes to thee?

186

1676.  Ray, Corr. (1848), 122. Tell me whether any such bird be known to you.

187

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 383, ¶ 1. A loud chearful Voice enquiring whether the Philosopher was at Home.

188

1818.  Scott, Br. Lamm., xxxi. Uncertainty … whether her letter had been ever forwarded.

189

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 390. Thither the Londoners flocked … to hear whether there was any news.

190

  5.  Introducing a disjunctive clause (usually with correlative or) having a qualifying or conditional force, and standing in adverbial relation to the main sentence (cf. WHATEVER 3, WHEREVER 4): whether … or = whichever of the alternative possibilities or suppositions be the case; in either of the cases mentioned; if on the one hand … and likewise if on the other hand.

191

  Sometimes repeated with each alternative (occas. with omission of or, or substitution of and); but most frequently with ellipsis in the second alternative, the or connecting two predicates, objects, etc., or the second alternative being reduced to a simple negative or the like (or not, or otherwise, etc.; see also NO adv.1 2, and 6 b below).

192

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1360, 1362 (Cotton MS.). Wummon mai pleie under cloþe Weþer [Jesus MS. hweþer] heo wile wel þe wroþe & heo mai do bi mine songe Hwaþer [Jesus MS. hweþer] heo wule wel þe wronge.

193

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6618. O þis watur he gert ilkan Drinc, quer he wald or nan. Ibid. (13[?]), 10205 (Gött.). If þai ani child miht haue, Queþer þat it ware scho or he.

194

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., I. 321. Þat þis world is beterid bi everyþing þat falliþ þerinne, where þat it be good or yvel.

195

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, II. v. 81. Ye shal abyde whether ye will or nyll.

196

1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., III. i. 156. Thou shalt remaine here, whether thou wilt or no.

197

1611.  Bible, Rom. xiv. 8. Whether [Tindale yf] we liue, we liue vnto the Lord: and whether [Tindale yf] wee die, we die vnto the Lord; whether [so in Tindale] wee liue therefore or die, we are the Lords.

198

1678.  Butler, Hud., III. ii. 174. For Loyalty is still the same, Whether it win or lose the Game.

199

1732.  Pope, Ess. Man, II. 12. Alike in ignorance, his reason such, Whether he thinks too little, or too much.

200

1796.  Burney, Mem. Metastasio, II. 389. Now I am forced to finish my letter, whether I will or no.

201

1818.  Coleridge, Friend, I. 335. That Reason which remains always one and the same, whether it speaks through this or that person.

202

1857.  Buckle, Civiliz., I. vii. 347. Whether it is fair, or whether it is wet, he pursues his labours with equal success.

203

  b.  with ellipsis in both alternatives: often virtually equivalent to either.

204

c. 1205.  [see WHETHER A. α].

205

1594.  Willobie, Avisa, XXXIII. vi. But what to me? where false or true, Where liue or die, for aye Adue.

206

1606.  Bp. Hall, Medit. & Vows, I. x. So great distrust is there in man, whether from his impotencie or faithlesnes.

207

1667.  Milton, P. L., III. 523. The Stairs were then let down, whether to dare The Fiend by easie ascent, or aggravate His sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss.

208

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., VII. § 11. This, I say, whether right or wrong.

209

1766.  Goldsm., Vicar W., iii. I knew he would act a good part whether vanquished or victorious.

210

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 463. All other governments, whether republican or monarchical, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic.

211

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. App. D. 627. William, whether by accident or by design, was not admitted.

212

1913.  Daily Graphic, 19 Feb., 8/1. The increase in the number of officials…, which should give pause to every man, whether Liberal or Tory.

213

  6.  Whether or no (NO adv.1 2), less freq. not. a. as conj. phr. introducing a dependent interrog. clause, as in 3.

214

1650.  Sanderson, Cases (1678), 93. The next enquiry must be, Whether or no the words of the Engagement will reasonably bear such a construction.

215

a. 1657.  Sir W. Mure, Ho. Rowallane, Wks. (S.T.S.), II. 240. Not verie certaine wheyr or not brethren yrof at one & the same time, do beare the armes of the paternall coat.

216

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 92, ¶ 5. Whether or no they are real Husbands or personated ones I cannot tell.

217

1852.  Thackeray, Esmond, I. ix. What matters whether or no I make my way in life.

218

1871.  Morley, Crit. Misc., Ser. I. 174. As Protestants always ask of so much of Catholicism as they have dropped, whether or no it is true.

219

  b.  introducing a qualifying clause, as in 5.

220

1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl., II. iv. 27. They … help to make the man good, whether or no they make his style be thought so.

221

1868.  Swinburne, Blake, 88. The shape or style of workmanship each artist is bound to look to, whether or no he may … trouble himself about the moral … bearings of his work.

222

  c.  ellipt. as adv. phr. In any case, at all events.

223

1784.  Unfortunate Sensibility, I. 182. Whether or no, this coat shall be my favourite coat.

224

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, lxviii. Was it natural that at that instant, without any previous impulse or design, Kit should kiss Barbara? He did it, whether or no.

225

1873.  Morley, Struggle Nat. Educ., 79. You may say that this is to degrade the state. Possibly. But whether or no, this is the principle already … acted upon.

226

1904.  Weyman, Abb. Vlaye, xiii. ‘God help us whether or no!’ the Vicomte answered in senile anger.

227

  7.  Whether for a penny: undecided, uncertain. dial.

228

1672.  W. Walker, Parœm., 28. I am unresolved; I am whether for a penny.

229

  8.  as sb., with pl. whethers. a. In phr. At whethers: see quot. dial.

230

1828.  Craven Gloss., s.v. Whethers, ‘To be at whethers,’ to be in a state of doubt or uncertainty. ‘I stend at whethers.’

231

  b.  nonce-use (from 4).

232

1827.  Hood, Kangaroos, 68. In weighing every why and whether.

233

1836.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Sentiment. Whether she was engaged, whether she was pretty,… and many other whethers of equal importance.

234