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, *χwe-, 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.
α. 1 hwæðer, -þer, -der, 13 hwaþer, 3 whæðer, whaðer, -der, (wahðer), 34 waþer, 4 quaþer.
8[?]. in O. E. Texts, 444. Sue hwaeder suae. Ibid., 452. Hwaðer.
90030. O. E. Chron., an. 894 (Parker MS.). Bi swa hwaþerre efes swa hit þonne fierdleas wæs.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John iv. 33. Hwæðer æniʓ man him mete brohte?
c. 1205. Lay., 20877. Whæðer [c. 1275 waþer] swa ich wulle don oðer slæn oðer ahon. Ibid., 235935. Whaðer unkere wahðer vinkere.
13[?]. Cursor M., 13596 (Gött.). To mistrouu Quaþer forwid blind al had he bene.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 486. Waþer þe wil or no.
β. 1 hueðer, 13 hweðer, -þer, 3 weðer, -þer, queðer, (ȝweðer, -ur), Orm. wheþþr, 4 wheiþer, queþer, quedir, -ur, Sc. quhethyr(e, 45 wheþer, -ire, -ur(e, whethere, -ir(e, -yr, wethir, quether, -þir, whedir, -ur, queder, 46 wheder, Sc. quhethir, quhedir, 47 wheither, 5 whethur, wheithir, whedere, -yr(e, wedir, quethire, -ur, qweþer, -ther, -þire, Sc. quheþer, -ir, quheythir, qwheþir, -dyr, -yar, 56 wheddur, 6, 9 dial. -er, Sc. quhether, 4 whether.
c. 825. Vesp. Psalter, cxxxviii[i]. 24. Et vide si via iniquitatis in me est, & ʓeseh hweðer weʓ unrehtwisnisse in me is.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xxvii. 17. Quem uultis dimittam uobis, hueðerne wallas ʓie ic forleto iowh?
a. 1122. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1101. Loc hweðer þæra ʓebroðra oðerne oferbide.
c. 1200. Ormin, 526. Illc an hird wel wisste inoh, Wheþþr itt to serrfenn shollde [etc.].
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.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1471. Queðer here sulde birðen bi-foren.
c. 1290. St. Austin, 60, in S. Eng. Leg., 25. Are ich habbe more vnderȝite: ȝweþur þis Message beo trewe.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 44. Quedur [v.rr. queþer, wheþer] þai be worthi or bale or bote.
c. 1300. Havelok, 2098. Betere is i go miself, and se Hweþer he sitten nou, and wesseylen.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1109. Sware with trawþe, Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþer better.
13[?]. Northern Passion, 1006 (Camb. Gg. 5. 31). Wheder he will hym safe or spyll.
c. 1325. Spec. Gy Warw., 272. Wheiþer þeih wolen, or þeih nelle.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 1829. He es uncertayne Whether he sal wend til ioy or payne.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Petrus), 421. Quhedir he A lele man or a lear be.
c. 1420. Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903), 276. Þo iewys kestyn at þe dys Qweþer xuld han hys cloth.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 5. The ferde questioun is quheythir bataill be lefull to be done.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 1186. Qwheyar if yone bee Our presoner, my consell Is we see.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxiv. 195 b/1. The kynge lende or gaue him I can nat tell wheder, a .lx. thousande frankes.
1526. Tindale, Matt. xxi. 31. Whedder of these ij fulfylled there fathers wyll?
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 80. Quhedir he be pape or patriarch.
1585. Jas. I., Ess. Poesie (Arb.), 60. Quhether the lyne be lang or short.
γ. (1 hwiðer), 4 whydyr, 5 whyder, qwydyr, 56 Sc. quhither, 57 Sc. quhidder, 6 Sc. whidder, quhiddir, qwhider, 67 whither, 7 Sc. quither.
9[?]. K. Ælfred, Gregorys Past. C., xliv. 330 (Cott. MS.). Hwonne bið ðæt, ðæt ðu nyte hwiðer ðu maran wilniʓe?
13[?]. Lay Folks Catech. (L.), 1258. Noman wot whydyr he may be worþy to haue hate or loue of god.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (verse), 92. Here may we chese, Whyder we our-self wyll saue or lese.
14501530. Myrr. Our Ladye, I. xviii. 48. Whither comest thow to chyrche to slepe or to wake?
c. 1460. Metham, Wks. (1916), 146. Qwydyr y[t] schuld preue fayr or foule.
c. 1480. Henryson, Sheep & Dog, 1199 (Harl. MS.). Quhidder the scheip suld answer in iugement Before the wolf.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 144. Quhither it wes, thairof haif I no feill.
1546. Suppl. Poore Commons (E.E.T.S.), 4. Whither this lawe be indifferent or not.
1583. Leg. Bp. St. Androis, 285. Whidder hir malisone tuike effect, Or gif it was the gude wyne sect.
1614. Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, iii. (title), Ane reply to I cair not quither I get hir or no.
a. 1699. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XVIII. cix. Yet whither you will bow down your consent To our meek Doctrines.
δ. 4 woþer, wother.
13[?]. Northern Passion, 1984 (Camb. Gg. 1. 1). Ihesus bad scho suld to Petir gane Wother a ben in boure or halle.
a. 1400. R. Glouc. Chron. (1724), 388. Woþer of hem tueye lenger alyue were.
ε. contr. 3 whær, wer(e, ware, 35 whar, 4 hwere, hwor, war, quer(e, 47 wher, (9 dial.) where, 5 wherr, quar, quare, 7 wher.
Editors of Shakespeare have printed whér, wheer, and wher, with no authority from the folios or quartos.
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.
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.
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.
c. 1300. Havelok, 1119. Godrich seyde, hwor þou wilt be Quen and leuedi ouer me?
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 84. Ony synful wrecche, þat wot neuere where he schal be dampnyd or sauyd.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 1381. Þat mayde askede war he hed On his body any wounde.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.s T., 1539. Ne reccheth neuere wher I synke or fleete.
1462[?]. Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 55. Where ye wil come in to Devenshire to abide other no.
1567. Turberv., Ovids Ep., xv. (? 1580), M iv. I doubtfull stoode where powre or vertue were the best of twaine.
1595. Shaks., John, I. i. 75. But where I be as true begot or no.
1618. Wither, Motto, Nec Habeo, 196. I care not wher they thinke I loue or no.
1660. Wood, Life (O. H. S.), I. 334. The captain asked him where he was willing to shed blood.
1825. Jennings, Obs. Dial. W. Eng., 180. Ill hirn auver an zee where I cant help em.
B. Signification.
I. pron. and adj. Which of the two. Obs., arch., or dial.
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.
1. In direct questions. a. pron.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 31. Hwæðer þara tweʓra dyde þæs fæder willan?
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 284. Hweðeres fere wult tu beon? Ibid., 364. Of two men, hweðer is wisure?
a. 1300. Cursor M., 14045. Queþer o þir tua aght luue him mare?
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 3477. And whether schulde Mayster be, Thei of Grece or Troye Cite?
1528. More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 163/2. Whether of them would ye beleue best?
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 73. There is both a reading and a preaching ministerie: whether doe you prefer before the other?
1601. Shaks., Alls Well, IV. v. 23. Whether doest thou professe thy selfe, a knaue, or a foole?
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?
1753. Richardson, Grandison (1754), II. v. 71. Perturbations delightful, or undelightful, Harriet, whether?
1872. Tennyson, Gareth & Lynette, 333. Whether would ye? gold or field?
b. adj. (rare.)
1629. Gaule, Pract. Theories Christ, 115. We know which Sex Fell first; whether can boast of more honour in the Recouerie?
1671. H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 524. Whether thing is heavier water or wine?
2. In indirect questions, or dependent clauses of similar meaning (Cf. note s.v. WHAT A. I**.)
a. pron.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 256. Ʒif man openað deaddra manna byrgynu, nast ðu hwæðer beoð þæs rican mannes ban, hwæðer þæs ðearfan.
c. 1055. Byrhtferths Handboc, in Anglia, VIII. 303. Cweð hwæðer þe selre þince.
c. 1200. Moral Ode, 240 (Trin. Coll. MS.). Niten hweðer hem doð wers.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2564. Me nuste to weþer hii bicome þe children þat hii bere.
1357. Lay Folks Catech. (L.), 970. Ilke man þat haþ resun wot wheþer ys better to chese.
1424. Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 35. Þe processe is retournable at þe oeptes or þe quinzisme, I not qwether.
147085. Malory, Arthur, VII. xvii. 238. There was none that beheld them myghte knowe whether was lyke to wynne the bataill.
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.
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.
1624. Massinger, Parlt. Love, I. v. I am troubled With the toothach, or with love, I know not whether.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, II. i. We came in full View of a great Island or Continent, (for we knew not whether).
a. 1794. Sir W. Jones, in Parrs Wks. (1828), VII. 210. It is indifferent to me, as a friend to the people, whether of the two sit in Parliament.
1852. Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. xii. (1857), 172. The question whether of the two sections held the abstract right.
b. adj.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., III. i. § 6. Þæt is mid Crecum þeaw þæt mid ðæm worde bið ʓecyþed hwæðer healf hæfð þonne siʓe.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 773. He nuste to ȝweþer doȝter betere truste þo.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 217. Whan the fader sih to whether side it drowh.
143250. trans. Higden (Rolls), V. 405. The manifestacion of a notable signe wheder parte awe to be folowede.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. i. I. Eden, 655. What children there [sc. in Eden] they earned, and how many, Of whether sex.
1613. Day, Dyall, ix. (1614), 218. A controversie there is which they are that are in whither Table.
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.
1690. T. Burnet, Rev. Th. Earth, 46. You know in whether Scale the Natural Reasons are to be laid.
1702. H. Dodwell, Apol., in S. Parker, Ciceros De Finibus, a 8. The Dispute whether Life is the more to be preferred, the Active, or the Contemplative.
c. Phr. whether is whether, which is which (of the two). Obs. or dial.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 3447. Þan wete men neuer, wheþer ys wheþer.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 9290 (Fairf.). Wele salle he knaw queþer is quilk.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. ix. 10. She vneath discerned, whether whether weare.
1828. Craven Gloss., s.v. Whether, I cannot tell whether is whether.
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.
(a) c. 1205. Lay., 23593. Whaðer unkere swa beoð þere sone he bið þe laðere.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7967. Hii acordede Þat weþer of hom tueye lengore aliue were Þat he ssolde be oþeres eir.
13[?]. Cursor M., 7463 (Gött.). And queþer may oþer ouercome in feild, Þe toþer folk all to him helde.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Wifes T., 371. Now chese your seluen wheither þat yow liketh.
c. 1430. Two Cookery-bks., 33. Serue it forth for a potage, or for a gode Bakyn mete, wheder þat þou wolt.
1551. Robinson, trans. Mores Utopia, I. (1895), 86. To kepe still the one of this .ii. kingdomes, whether he would.
1611. Bible, Ecclus. xv. 17. Before man is life and death, and whether him liketh shalbe giuen him.
1663. in Picton, Lpool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 333. You are to prsent noe pson both for lands and goods, but for whethr you estimate to be of the better value.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., v. 29. Let them take whether they will.
1764. Eliza Moxon, Engl. Housew. (ed. 9), 123. Put it into your sillabub-glasses or pots, whether you have.
(b) a. 1300. Cursor M., 2463. Queder þou ches, on right or left, I sal ta me þat þou haues left.
c. 1400. Gamelyn, 249. Weþer þat it be, He þat comes ones in þine hande schal he neuer þe.
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.
1632. Brome, Novella, II. ii. There is some hidden vertue in this fellow, Or dangerous ill: but whether let it be.
b. adj.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 404. Wheþer pope men nennen, þei bileven not þat he is Cristis viker.
c. 1430. Hymns Virgin, 32. Bothe ȝonge & oolde, wheþir ȝe be, in cristis name good cheer ȝe make.
152334. Fitzherb., Husb., § 144. Nowe arte thou at thy lyberty, to chose whether waye thou wylt.
1600. Holland, Livy, V. i. 179. It seemed, whether part were vanquished, should come to finall destruction.
1654. Gataker, Disc. Apol., 15. But cal the day by which, or whether term of them you please.
1671. J. Webster, Metallogr., i. 3. Whether way soever it be taken, it is apparent [etc.].
† c. With the indef. sense expressed by adding an intensive adv.: see WHETHEREVER, WHETHERSO, WHETHERSOEVER, WHETHERSUM. Obs.
II. conj.
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.
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?
a. 1300. Cursor M., 12292. Leif sun, me sai, Queþer þou put barn or nai?
1382. Wyclif, Matt. xxvii. 17. Whom wole ȝee, I leeue, or delyuere, to ȝou? wher Barabas, or Jhesu.
c. 1400. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), I. xxx. (1859), 34. Whether shal the lord refuse this seruaunt either els he shal receyue hym?
1535. Lyndesay, Satyre, 2255. Sir, quhidder is ȝour pardon black, or blew?
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?
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?
1713. Berkeley, Hylas & Phil., I. (1725), 5. Whether does Doubting consist in embracing the Affirmative or Negative Side of a Question?
a. 1822. Shelley, Ion, Pr. Wks. 1888, II. 115. Whether do you demonstrate these things better in Homer or Hesiod?
† b. Introducing an alternative statement, or standing at the end of a disjunctive question or phrase with or (cf. EITHER B. 5). Obs. rare.
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.
1599. Shaks., etc., Pass. Pilgr., vii. 17. Was this a louer, or a Letcher whether?
1608. Bp. Hall, Pharis. & Chr. (1609), B 3. The Sect (or order whether) of the Phariseis ceassed with the Temple.
† 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.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xx. 15. Hwæþer þe þin eaʓe manful ys, forþam þe ic god eom?
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5178. Lauerd! quer i sal him euer se?
c. 1300. Havelok, 292. Godrich seyde, Hweþer she sholde be Quen and leuedi ouer me?
13[?]. Bonaventuras Medit., 102. Eche loked on ouþer And seyd, lorde wheþer hyt be y?
1382. Wyclif, Matt. xiii. 55. Wher is nat this the son of a smyth, or carpenter? Wher his modir be nat seid Marie?
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?
1483. Cath. Angl., 415/2. Whedirnot, eciam, numquid, nonne.
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?
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius Catech., 67. Quhat is Baptisme? and quhidder it be necessare to all mankynd?
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.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., II. 120. Eft ða Gregorius befran, hwæðer þæs landes folc cristen wære ðe hæðen.
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.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 2312. Loke nu hweðer þe beo leouere don þat ich þe leare oðer þis ilke dei deien.
c. 1250. Gen. & Exod., 3272. Egipcienes woren in twired wen queðer he sulden folȝen or flen.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4507. In woch half turne he nuste þo weþer est þe west.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4918. Now wel is sene Queþer þat yee be fule or clone. Ibid., 13451 [see A. ε].
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 268. And where he be sauf or nouȝt sauf þe sothe wote no clergye.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 499 [487]. Wostow quod he wher this be wif or maide?
141220. Lydg., Chron. Troy, III. 4866. She lokkid hym vnder swiche a keye, Þat he wot nat wher to lyue or deye.
1528. More, Dyaloge, II. Wks. 177/2. There was principally in question whither woorshyppyng of ymages were lawfull or not.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 172. The Scottis than weill wist nocht in that caice, Quhidder to byde or follow on the chace.
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.
1610. Shaks., Temp., V. i. 123. Whether this be, Or be not, Ile not sweare.
1658. W. Burton, Anton. Itin., 102. There remain yet two doubts: First, whether this Prætenture, or Wall, was made of Stone, or of Turfs.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 63. He does not remember whether every Grain came up or not.
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.
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.
1872. Morley, Voltaire, i. 3. More than two generations had almost ceased to care whether there be any moral order or not.
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.
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.
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.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 121. Lokiað hweðer enies monnes sar beo iliche mine sare.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6471. Me ne dar noȝt esse, weþer he were kene þo & prout.
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?
c. 1386. Chaucer, Squires T., 571. Wher me was wo, that is no question I kan nat make of it discripsion.
c. 1395. Plowmans T., 834. Ech man loke whether that I ly.
147085. Malory, Arthur, VII. xx. 244. He mette with a poure man & asked hym whether he mette not with a knyghte.
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.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxxvii. § 9. Some are doubtfull whether any man may seeke for it [sc. the ministry] without offence.
1616. B. Jonson, Epigr., xcvi. Who shall doubt, Donne, where I a Poet bee, When I dare send my Epigrammes to thee?
1676. Ray, Corr. (1848), 122. Tell me whether any such bird be known to you.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 383, ¶ 1. A loud chearful Voice enquiring whether the Philosopher was at Home.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., xxxi. Uncertainty whether her letter had been ever forwarded.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 390. Thither the Londoners flocked to hear whether there was any news.
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.
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).
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.
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.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., I. 321. Þat þis world is beterid bi everyþing þat falliþ þerinne, where þat it be good or yvel.
147085. Malory, Arthur, II. v. 81. Ye shal abyde whether ye will or nyll.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., III. i. 156. Thou shalt remaine here, whether thou wilt or no.
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.
1678. Butler, Hud., III. ii. 174. For Loyalty is still the same, Whether it win or lose the Game.
1732. Pope, Ess. Man, II. 12. Alike in ignorance, his reason such, Whether he thinks too little, or too much.
1796. Burney, Mem. Metastasio, II. 389. Now I am forced to finish my letter, whether I will or no.
1818. Coleridge, Friend, I. 335. That Reason which remains always one and the same, whether it speaks through this or that person.
1857. Buckle, Civiliz., I. vii. 347. Whether it is fair, or whether it is wet, he pursues his labours with equal success.
b. with ellipsis in both alternatives: often virtually equivalent to either.
c. 1205. [see WHETHER A. α].
1594. Willobie, Avisa, XXXIII. vi. But what to me? where false or true, Where liue or die, for aye Adue.
1606. Bp. Hall, Medit. & Vows, I. x. So great distrust is there in man, whether from his impotencie or faithlesnes.
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.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., VII. § 11. This, I say, whether right or wrong.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., iii. I knew he would act a good part whether vanquished or victorious.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 463. All other governments, whether republican or monarchical, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. App. D. 627. William, whether by accident or by design, was not admitted.
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.
6. Whether or no (NO adv.1 2), less freq. not. a. as conj. phr. introducing a dependent interrog. clause, as in 3.
1650. Sanderson, Cases (1678), 93. The next enquiry must be, Whether or no the words of the Engagement will reasonably bear such a construction.
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.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 92, ¶ 5. Whether or no they are real Husbands or personated ones I cannot tell.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, I. ix. What matters whether or no I make my way in life.
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.
b. introducing a qualifying clause, as in 5.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., II. iv. 27. They help to make the man good, whether or no they make his style be thought so.
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.
c. ellipt. as adv. phr. In any case, at all events.
1784. Unfortunate Sensibility, I. 182. Whether or no, this coat shall be my favourite coat.
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.
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.
1904. Weyman, Abb. Vlaye, xiii. God help us whether or no! the Vicomte answered in senile anger.
7. Whether for a penny: undecided, uncertain. dial.
1672. W. Walker, Parœm., 28. I am unresolved; I am whether for a penny.
8. as sb., with pl. whethers. a. In phr. At whethers: see quot. dial.
1828. Craven Gloss., s.v. Whethers, To be at whethers, to be in a state of doubt or uncertainty. I stend at whethers.
b. nonce-use (from 4).
1827. Hood, Kangaroos, 68. In weighing every why and whether.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Sentiment. Whether she was engaged, whether she was pretty, and many other whethers of equal importance.