释义 |
whatpron.adv.int.adj.1conj.n. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian hwet , wet , hwat , wat , etc. (West Frisian wat ), Old Dutch uuat , uuad (Middle Dutch, Dutch wat ), Old Saxon huat (Middle Low German wat ), Old High German hwaz , waz (Middle High German waz , German was ), Old Icelandic hvat (Icelandic hvað ), Old Swedish hvat , hvadh (Swedish vad ), Old Danish hwat (Danish hvad ), Gothic hwa , showing the reflex of a neuter singular pronoun formed on the same Indo-European stem as who pron.For cognate forms in other branches of Indo-European see note at who pron. and n. Gothic hwa shows (apparently analogical) loss of the ending. The Middle English form ihwat at α. forms (in a late copy of an Old English charter) is after prefixed forms in y- prefix. The main classification of the uses of this word is (as usual) according to part of speech. Within these divisions senses are arranged according to the major functions, as follows: interrogative uses, A. I., B. I., D. I.; exclamatory uses, A. IV., B. III., C., D. III.; relative uses, A. III., D. II., E. 1, E. 2; indefinite (non-relative) uses, A. II., B. II. A. pron.In Old English hwæt functions as the nominative and accusative singular of the neuter pronoun (for other case forms of the neuter, cf. whon pron., and the discussion at whom pron., whose pron.). The original neuter gender is reflected by later use with reference to things rather than persons (compare e.g. sense A. 1), except in specific senses (compare e.g. sense A. 2). I. As interrogative pronoun (originally of neuter gender). 1. Used in asking the identity or name of a thing or (later) things, specified, indicated, or understood. OE 15 Hwæt wilt þu þæt ic þe do? c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 10970 Whatt wass þatt te faderr sellf. Þær off hiss sune seȝȝde? a1225 (?OE) MS Vesp. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 233 Unwraste man wat lacede ȝeu an alle mire rice. ?c1250 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Egerton) l. 92 in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 290 Wet sulle hi segge oþer don at þe muchele dome. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 14784 Whæt [c1300 Otho Wat] þenchest þu Austin what þenchest þu leof min. 1340 (1866) 265 Sleȝþe zayþ, ‘God wet ssolle we do.’ c1390 (Vernon) l. 287 What signefyes, gode sone, þese sawus þat þou seis? c1450 (1904) I. 50 Þe furste question was þis, What was þe grettest mervayle & fayrest þing þat evur God made in leste rowme? a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 279 What is your brothirs name? 1560 Ezra v. 4 What are the names of the men..? 1560 Zech. xiii. 6 What are these woundes in thine hands? 1582 W. Allen sig. A8v One demaunded, what do you meane by Catholike religion? 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil 526 What will they say of their deserting Chief? 1749 H. Fielding III. viii. xii. 260 ‘Nubbing Cheat’, cries Partridge, ‘Pray, Sir, what is that?’ View more context for this quotation 1782 F. Burney IV. vii. ii. 29 Odd people? and in what are we so very odd? 1853 C. M. Yonge II. iii. 41 What has come to you? 1863 W. M. Thackeray Roundabout Papers xxviii, in Feb. 262 What are the technical words, and how do I know? 1884 W. S. Gilbert ii Flo. But what are these? Hil... Why, Academic robes, Worn by the lady undergraduates, When they matriculate. 1924 7 Feb. 1/2 What should be done to treat roup in poultry? 2015 ‘L. Child’ xxviii. 174 She called his cell, but he didn't answer... What are the possible reasons for not answering a cell phone call? b. In indirect questions, and clauses of similar meaning. The interrogative force varies according to the nature of the main clause; after verbs or phrases of asking, wondering, etc., the subordinate 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, etc., it is only implicitly so, but the sense is essentially the same, and is to be distinguished from the nominal relative (where what means ‘that which’: see sense A. III.*), 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 hear what he said (where what simply = ‘that which’). The subordinate clause may function as the subject of a sentence; e.g. What he meant was unknown to me = ‘I did not know what he meant’: cf. quot. 1766 at how adv. 13.eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) lii. 405 He..him getæhte hwæt hi on ðæm [sc. frioum anwalde] don sceolden, hwæt ne scolden. ?a1160 (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1137 Nu we willen sægen sumdel wat belamp on Stephnes kinges time. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 2904 Iosæp..mikell ummbeþohhte. Off whatt himm wære bettst to don. a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Lamb.) l. 79 in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 165 He wat wet þenkeð and hwet doð alle quike wihte. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 1441 Hit nuste neauer hwat hit was. c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 350 in C. Horstmann (1887) 11 He..Axede heom of þe croyz ȝwat were þe tokningue. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 9249 To loke wat were best to do. 1340 (1866) 264 Me him acseþ, ‘huo he ys, huannes he comþ, huet he heþ ysoȝe.’ a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) Prol. l. 26 What schal befalle hierafterward God wot. ?1449 M. Paston in (2004) I. 235 Qhat þe cawse is I wote nott. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen 7 It is neidful first to ane seik man to knaw quhat is his seiknes. ?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) i. l. 682 in (1967) 48 He demandit myn answere quhat I sayd? 1569 R. Grafton II. 89 Demaunding of them what the matter was. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iii. 8 Iealousie, what might befall your trauell [printed rravell] . View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton 1346 I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. View more context for this quotation 1749 H. Fielding V. xv. vii. 244 Ay, to be sure... It signifies nothing what becomes of them. View more context for this quotation 1773 O. Goldsmith ii. 26 I believe they are in actual consultation upon what's for supper. 1782 F. Burney V. x. ii. 222 Something strange..must have happened, but what, she had no means to know. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. v. 540 What such a force..could effect..was proved, a few years later, at Killiecrankie. 1850 15 June 285/1 It will be time enough then to think what next. 1889 R. L. Stevenson vi. 186 Has it never come in upon your mind what you are doing? 1930 J. B. Priestley i. vi. 232 ‘Oh, put a sock in it,’ he said to the ripe gentleman, who immediately and very loudly asked him what he meant by it. 1976 J. R. Smythies & L. Corbett xvii. 291 Most psychotherapists refuse to give specific advice as to what their patient's conduct should be in cases where ethical problems are concerned. 2002 S. McKay (new ed.) 275 I asked her what the drugs were. ‘I dinny know,’ she said. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1981) l. 563 Þe king..bigon to cwakien ant nuste hwet seggen. c1300 (?c1225) (Cambr.) (1901) l. 276 Þe stuard was in herte wo, For he nuste what to do. 1485 W. Caxton tr. sig. kvv/2 Charles knewe not what to do but to praye god and saynt Iames for whom he went that in the vertu of hys name he myght take that cyte. 1624 J. Smith i. 16 We tooke more Cod then we knew what to doe with. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis iv, in tr. Virgil 309 Jove will inspire him, when, and what to say. 1713 G. Berkeley i. 47 I know not what to think of it. 1883 D. C. Murray ii Cousin Mark was not burdened with more money than he knew what to do with. 1993 27 June 13/3 One of Gilbert Murray's successors..asked what to read to gain an insight into the Hellenic world, had replied, ‘Oh Mary Renault every time.’ 2005 N. Brooks 278 And Denise was wondering what to tell her but then couldn't think how to begin. 2. Originally: †used in asking the identity or name of a person or persons specified, indicated, or understood (and thus equivalent to who) ( obsolete). Subsequently: used in asking the character, function, etc., of a person or persons specified, indicated, or understood. Only in predicative use (cf. that pron.1 1b(a)). Formerly also as complement of the intransitive verb hight (cf. hight v.1 4).the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > which, what, or who OE (Claud.) xxvii. 32 Ða cwæð Isaac: Hwæt eart þu? He andwyrde & cwæð: Ic eom Esau. OE King Ælfred tr. (Paris) (2001) xxiii. 10 Hwæt is se gewuldroda kyning [L. quis est iste rex gloriae]? a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 167 Hwat is þis þe astihȝð alse dai rieme? c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 13662 What [c1300 Otho Wat] beoð þeos ut-laȝen. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. ii. l. 15 ‘What is þis wommon,’ quod I, ‘þus wonderliche A-tyret?’ a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 13592 ‘Quat haldes þou þat man?’ said þai. ‘A prophet,’ said he. a1450 (1885) 229 (MED) What hytist þou? c1450 (c1400) (1881) l. 1623 What be ye, That make here this ruly moone? 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) iv. 120 What ben ye, lordes, that are soo countrefayt, are ye paynemes, or of what countrey ben ye? 1526 Rev. vii. 13 What are these which are arayed in longe whyte garmentes? a1596 (1911) i. i. 47 What art thou that talkest of reuendge? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 63 Tra. What is he Biondello? Bion. Master, a Marcantant, or a pedant, I know not what. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) i. i. 94 Bra... What are you? Rod. My name is Roderigo. View more context for this quotation 1753 S. Foote i. 18 Buck... And what are you, hey? Barb. Je suis Peruquier, Monsieur. 1782 W. Cowper Hope in 166 What were they?—what some fools are made by art, They were by nature, atheists. 1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in 10 Mar. 466/1 ‘You noticed that young man, sir, in at Darby's?’ ‘Yes. What is he?’ ‘Deserter, sir.’ 1872 Ld. Tennyson Last Tournament in 136 About his feet A voice clung sobbing till he question'd it, ‘What art thou?’ 1939 W. Saroyan 147 If you ain't a hero, what are you? Joe said. I'm a loafer and a Presbyterian, Pete said. What are you? 2002 E. Wooff iv. 42 First she's a teacher and now she's living in our old school. What is she, a glutton for punishment? eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xxi. 159 Donne eow misliciað ða mettrumnessa ðe ge on oðrum monnum geseoð, ðonne geðence ge hwæt ge sien & hwelce ge sien. c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) l. 627 in C. Horstmann (1887) 237 Ich eschte him ȝwat he were. He seide, ‘ich am þin Abbot.’ c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 919 Þe king eschte wat hii were. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 4931 Þe folk asked quat þai suld be, ‘Theues,’ coth ioseph. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Ellesmere) (1875) l. 616 Is he a clerk or noon? telle what he is. 1490 (1962) 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 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Table X iij Athlete [= Athletæ], what they be that are so called. 1605 in W. H. Dixon (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. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 64 Tra. What is he..? Bio. Master, a Marcantant, or a pedant, I know not what. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) iv. i. 72 And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be. View more context for this quotation 1697 W. Dampier x. 301 To write a Letter to the Governor, to inform him what we were, and on what account we came. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil 397 He..ask'd his airy Guide, What, and of whence was he. 1832 B. Disraeli I. i. vii. 65 I was to be something great, and glorious, and dazzling, but what, we could not determine. 1843 R. S. Surtees I. ii. 33 Who, or what he was,..no one ever cared to inquire. 1939 W. Saroyan 147 To tell you the truth, Joe said, that's what I am too. 2011 21 Feb. 27/2 The heroine (if that's what she is) passes from small-town Texas to billionaire's ranch and back to rock bottom. 3. In rhetorical questions. OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) xxiv. 375 Hwæt sind þas buton þrymsetl heora scyppendes, on þam þe he wuniende mannum demð? 1340 (1866) 137 Huet am ich bote esssse and spearken. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 1636 What did this Eolus but he Toke out hys blake trumpe of bras. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 420 in (1934) ii. 556 What but thi wolle was cause of al this striff? a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 159 What dude he but purveyde him of so muche mony. 1594 W. Shakespeare sig. D3 What could he see but mightily he noted? What did he note, but strongly he desired? View more context for this quotation 1599 T. Nashe 48 What did me he, but..chopt aloft. 1611 Judges xiv. 18 What is sweeter then honie? and what is stronger then a Lion? View more context for this quotation 1681 J. Dryden 10 What cannot Praise effect in Mighty Minds..? 1780 No. 96. ⁋6 Give a young woman admiration, and what more can she wish for? 1798 W. Wordsworth We are Seven in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge 110 A simple child,..That lightly draws its breath,..What should it know of death? 1868 ‘G. Eliot’ in Jan. 4 For what else is the meaning of our Trades-unions? 1952 14 76 What more could you ask in a letter of recommendation? 2005 (Nexis) 16 Jan. (Travel section) t10 What could be better on a hot summer day than a refreshing plunge in a pool at the base of a small waterfall? the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > of what importance eOE (Mercian) (1965) cxliii. 4 (3) Domine, quid est homo quod innotuisti ei : dryhten hwet is monn ðæt ðu cuðades him? OE King Ælfred tr. (Paris) (2001) viii. 5 Drihten, hwæt is se mann, þe þu swa myclum amanst? a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) 2 Kings vii. 18 Who am Y, my Lord God, and what is myn hows [E.V. a1382 Bodl. 959 what my hous], that thou brouȝtist me hidur to? 1546 J. Heywood ii. ix. sig. Lv What is a workeman, without his tooles. 1734 A. Pope 227 What's Fame? a fancy'd Life in others breath. 1781 W. Cowper 107 Your sentence and mine differ. What's a name? 1841 R. Browning Pippa Passes iii, in 13/2 What's death?—You'll love me yet! 1851 6 Sept. 553/1 What are my strength and weight compared with that one pillar? 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ ix. 146 I am an Englishman of unblemished character. What would your assertions be against mine? 1912 C. Mathewson xi. 233 But what's a new hat against a losing streak or a batting slump? 1998 J. Kay (1999) 198 We have..black pudding (What's a breakfast without some sheep's blood? Joss says to make Colman squirm). OE (1932) cxviii. 84 Hwæt synt þinum esne ealra dagena, þe þu mine ehtend for me ealle gedeme? ?c1425 Crafte Nombrynge in R. Steele (1922) 29 Yf þou wold wete qwat is 4 hundryth tymes 4 [emended in ed. to 4 hundryth tymes two hundryth]. c1475 (?c1425) (1984) l. 515 Quat is þi rawunsun, opon ryȝte? 1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in (1998) I. 192 I knaw quhat thou of rethorike may spent. 1669 S. Sturmy i. ii. 34 As 16 to 7: So is 8 to what? 1690–1700 sig. Cviiv That there be geven Warrants..what shall be paid to any such Pencioner wekly. 1814 (ed. 19) 130 What is Greenwich Time when it is Noon 75°, or Five Hours, West of Greenwich? 1816 W. Scott Black Dwarf ix, in 1st Ser. I. 179 But I'll see what o' them can be gotten back. 1859 xi. 305 What of that essential harmony..can there possibly be between a hundred..people? 1904 H. Hawkins II. 2 Lloyd must have made £20,000 a year..; what I made is of no consequence. 1960 3 July 19/2 What does it cost to water ski? 2014 A. Brodie 34 ‘What is six times nine?’ asked the teacher. 5. In elliptical uses. See also Phrases 1g.?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 62 Hwat michte wes icud ed þeose wordes? hwet? c1330 (Auch.) (1933) l. 2059 ‘On þe falle..swich a maner vileynie, As hadde þe burgeis for his pie.’ ‘O maister, he saide, what, what? I þe praie, tel me þat!’ a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. iv. 53 Isaac. A, good syr, abide! Fader! Abraham. What, son? Isaac. To do youre will I am redy. a1535 T. More (1553) iii. xi. sig. P.ii Why wife quod her husband, what woulde you doe? What? by god goe foreward with ye beste. 1667 J. Milton ii. 165 What when we fled amain,..and besought The Deep to shelter us? View more context for this quotation 1769 M. Minifie & S. Gunning II. xvii. 54 ‘It shall be so,’ said Lavinia, for a moment lost in thought. ‘What?’ asked her mother. 1836 C. Dickens 1st Ser. II. 303 ‘Oh! oh!—I'm so frightened.’ ‘What at, dear?—what at?’ said the mother. 1836 C. Dickens (1837) xix. 196 ‘What's your name?’ ‘Cold punch,’ murmured Mr. Pickwick, as he sunk to sleep again. ‘What?’ demanded Captain Boldwig. No reply. 1898 M. M. Dowie i ‘That's a queer start o' young Sam's’, said one voice. ‘Wot is?’ said another. 1917 P. G. Wodehouse ix. 99 ‘Nutty, he's bitten.’.. ‘Good gracious! What by?’ 1972 J. Wilson iii. 61 What? I can't hear you. It's a terrible line. 2013 M. Lawson xiii. 457 ‘Becca, you wouldn't do anything silly, would you?’.. ‘What? Top myself, you mean?’ 1548 H. Reginald tr. C. Hegendorphinus sig. Ev No man wyll knowe in hym selfe, yt he is a manqueller, what? What manquellers be those, which do abound in ryches, and do suffer their neighbour to perysshe withe famyne, thyrste, and cold. 1785 F. Burney 19 Dec. (1842) II. 398 He [sc. George III] said,—‘What? what?’—meaning, what say you?.. ‘..it is not possible. Do you think it is?—what?’ 1850 16 Nov. 177/2 What is all that about the—eh—what—law of ex—what?—pansion—eh? 1891 ‘J. S. Winter’ xv. 110 But then, she's so beastly chic, dontcherknow—eh, what! 1906 C. Mansfield xvi Good-bye, Miss Thornton, awfully jolly evening—what? 1914 A. M. N. Lyons 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? 1990 D. Walcott liv. 269 ‘Been travellin' a bit, what?’... He knew the ‘what?’ was a farce, I knew it was not officer-quality, a strutting R.S.M. 1604 N. Breton sig. B Gan. What? are you so sure of it? Gri. Sure, of what sir? 1676 T. Shadwell i. 11 Sir Sam. Gad I'll do't instantly, in the twinkling of a Bed-staff... Bruce. In the twinkling of what? 1795 F. Lathom i. ii. 18 Smatt...What colour shall the pantaloons be? Sir George. The what? Smatt. Trowser breeches, trowser breeches, sir George. 1814 Manœuvring i. i, in J. Galt II. 78 Sure enough, my lady's the greatest policizer under the sun. Kit. Polly what? 1825 T. Hook 2nd Ser. 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 C. Dickens xli. 447 ‘Your chummage ticket will be on twenty-seven, in the third.’ ‘Oh,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘My what, did you say?’ 1880 L. Parr II. 47 ‘Because—’ ‘Because what?’.. ‘Because you've—’ but before the sentence could be finished, Eve had flown upstairs. 1977 E. Reimer 26 Jack. Well, she gave him the green wienie. Bob. The what? Jack... The green wienie. She broke up with him. 2005 A. Smith 122 I lost it, Astrid says. You what? her mother says. 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus i. i. sig. E Pelar. What? supposest thou therfore money to be told, wherwith he may be put out of my house or family..that he shuld or might be sent away quite from me with, or sent away from me for euer? Evb. Ye mary, or what els, or what a question is that? 1607 J. Cowell sig. Aaaa3v/2 So long as A. himselfe liueth, he is liable to this couenant, and none els: after his discease his heire is subiect vnto it, be he his sonne, brother, vncle, or what els. 1766 J. Adams 29 July (1961) I. 317 In what is this Man conspicuous? in Reasoning? in Imagination? in Painting? in the Pathetic? or what? 1769 G. White Let. 28 Feb. in (1789) 65 Is it owing to the vast massy buildings of that place, to the many waters round it, or to what else? 1842 E. FitzGerald 16 Sept. (1894) I. 132 Have you supposed me dead or what? 1884 tr. H. Lotze 341 We shall further discover whether the true path is a circle, an ellipse, an oval, or what. 1936 H. Channon 1 Aug. (2021) I. 554 One of the young pilots whispered to me.., ‘Is Duff Cooper off his rocker, or what?’ 2003 R. Williams 94 Are you going to man up or what? II. Indefinite uses. For other indefinite (non-relative) uses see what else at Phrases 1g(c) and sense D. 5c. 7. Something, anything. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > state of being non-specific > unspecified thing(s) > anything eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xxxviii. 275 Se ðe ðonne hwæt yfeles ongiet on his nihstan, & hit forswugað. OE Form of Confession (Royal 2 B.v) in (1889) 11 113 Ic..swiðor ceorude þonne min sawul behofode þa ða ic æhta forleas oððe leofne freond oððe me hwæt mislamp on þises lifes ryne. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 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. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. l. 1676 Florent..syh this vecke wher sche sat, Which was the lothlieste what That evere man caste on his yhe. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 3046 (MED) So felle..fliȝt was of flanys..Of arrows, & of all quat þat al þe aire blindid. 1596 E. Spenser vi. ix. sig. Gg3v They..gaue him for to feed Such homely what, as serues the simple clowne. View more context for this quotation OE (Tiber. B.i) anno 1010 Man sceolde þonne rædan hu man þisne eard werian sceolde, ac þeah mon þonne hwæt rædde þæt ne stod furðon ænne monað. OE (Nero) ii. lxxiv. 360 Na nyde man naðer ne wif ne mæden to þam, þe hyre sylfre mislicie, ne wið sceatte ne sylle, butan he hwæt agenes ðances gyfan wylle. c1175 ( Ælfric Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine (1993) 71 Gif we hwæt tobrecon, beton þæt ȝeorne. III. As a relative pronoun. In early use often followed by that (see that conj. 7), rarely as (cf. quots. a1393 at sense A. 9b, 1535 at sense A. 9a(a)). * As a nominal relative pronoun (combining antecedent and relative). eOE (Corpus Cambr. 173) Introd. xxiv. 34 Gif he næbbe hwæt he selle, sie he self beboht wið ðam fio. OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xxv. 230 Me ofhreowð þissere menigu, forðan þe hi..nabbað hwæt hi etað. OE (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 6 Læn me þry hlafas, forþam min freond com of wege to me, & ic næbbe hwæt [c1200 Hatton hwæt] ic him toforan lecge. lOE (Corpus Cambr.) xiii. 454 A he mæig findan, hwæt he mæig on byrig betan. 9. In generalized or indefinite sense. a. lOE (Laud) anno 1086 Eac þis land wæs swiðe afylled mid munecan, & þa leofodan heora lif æfter Sanctus Benedictus regule, & se cristendom wæs swilc on his dæge þet ælc man hwæt his hade to belumpe folgade se þe wolde. a1225 ( (Winteney) (1888) xlviii. 97 Fram eastran oð kalendas octobris..sona swa hi fram primsange gangen, wyrcan hwæt þonne neod beo [OE Corpus Cambr. loca hwæt þonne þearf sy; L. quod necessarium fuerit], oð hit sy forneah an tid ofer undern. 1340 (1866) 43 Oþer be uenym, oþer ine oþre manere, huet þet hit by. c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 104 Ac tyde þe what by-tyde. a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13148 He had hir aske what [Vesp. quat-sum, Fairf. quat-euer] she wolde. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) l. 68 (MED) What it be þat ȝe bidde, ȝour bonus I graunte. 1469 in S. Tymms (1850) 50 To make therof qwat that he can. 1535 Gen. i. C Catell, wormes & what as hath life vpon earth. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) (title) Twelfe Night, Or what you will. 1650 H. Vaughan 27 Such ill-plac'd wit, Conceit, or call it what you please Is the braines fit, And meere disease. 1670 Duke of Richmond in A. Marvell (1875) 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 J. Moxon I. xii. 208 With your Flat Chissel or Gouge, (or what is nearest at hand) knock softly. 1749 D. Hartley i. i. §1. 20 Be the Cause what it will. 1859 H. Kingsley ix One thing she was determined on, not to give up her lover, come what would. 1908 S. E. White xix To sacrifice his pride, his ambition, his what-you-will. 1970 R. Sampson 1 Those who live by the principle that they will not intentionally take human life, cost what it may. 1995 I. Banks (1996) xiv. 233 You're a free woman, Isis. You can do what you please. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 4862 Þe king..wende toward bangor þo To destruye þe brutons, wat he founde mo. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 7844 What he be, bryngeþ hym hedyr. ?a1425 Constit. Masonry (Royal 17 A.i) l. 445 in J. O. Halliwell (1844) 29 And whad he be, let hym be sowȝht. c1440 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Thornton) in G. G. Perry (1921) 44 Ilke man, what þat [?a1425 Lamb. 472 whatevere] he be, þat in-calles þe name of Godd, þat es to say, askes saluacion by Ihesu and by his passion. J. Metham (1916) l. 916 He redy schuld be For hys lady sake to iuste, ayens yche knygh[t] in general..and qwat he were myght yeue hym a falle. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. v. 1 Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. View more context for this quotation 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher v. iii. 80 That..my Accusers, Be what they will, may stand forth face to face. View more context for this quotation 1665 J. Ogilby tr. Homer xxii. 327 Be they or Good or Bad, be what they may, For their offences now in Death they pay. OE Ælfric (St. John's Oxf.) 23 Ablativvs ys ætbredendlic: mid ðam casv byð geswutelod, swa hwæt swa we ætbredað oðrum.] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 2504 & all wass mænelike þing Whatt littless se þeȝȝ haffdenn. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. l. 1830 What as evere that ye seie. c1465 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) I. 68 What that ever he wer to by straw, he must pay in honde. 1567 (rev. ed.) 11 God grant that we may wirk thy will, In eird thy plesure to fulfill, Siclyke as in the heuin Impyre, And quhat that euer we tak on hand, May be conforme to thy command, And nathing efter our desyre. 10. In definite sense. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 3372 All þatt hirde flocc hemm sahh & herrde whatt teȝȝ sungenn. a1200 (?OE) MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 191 Quod pungit ueneno afficit... Hie..attreð hwat heo prikeð. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 15783 Ȝe habbeoð alle iherd whæt [c1300 Otho wat] Penda king hafueð iseid. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2578 Mekli þan to meliors he munged what he þouȝt. a1425 Edward, Duke of York (Digby) Prol. 3 This booke tretith of what shalbe in euery sesoun moste durable. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 172 That thou wolt folewe Holi Writt, and take for the lawe and seruice of God what that Holi Writ allowith. 1521 in (1889) 16 Item giffin to Andro Scot of quhat wes awand him,..iiij s. 1593 W. Shakespeare sig. Bijv So offers he to giue what she did craue. View more context for this quotation 1599 sig. Gv What as Bradford holdes of me in chiefe, I giue it frankely vnto thee for euer. 1649 J. Milton iv. 36 He..justifi'd and abetted them in what they did. ?1697 J. Lewis (1789) 56 Dr. Radcliffe..finding him feverish, prescribed what restored him to health in five days. 1724 A. Ramsay Vision in I. xii I ken sum mair than ye..Of quhat sall afterwart befall. 1738 J. Swift p. lxxxi So incurable is the Love of Detraction, perhaps beyond what the charitable Reader will easily believe. 1785 W. Cowper i. 55 If cushion might be call'd, what harder seem'd Than the firm oak of which the frame was form'd. 1851 6 Sept. 560/1 I was going to ask you to dine with me on what I have left. 1865 J. Ruskin i. 41 Milton means what he says. 1886 32 71 It appears to me that they acted very reasonably in what they did. 1890 12 75 On his return he again called the people together and held a big potlatch, giving the Indians what appeared to them at that time great curiosities. 1909 9 Feb. 12/5 Your formula is just what I have been looking for. 1962 G. MacEwan i. 4 The residents of what had been an unprepossessing shack-town found their community overrun with rip-roaring cowboys. 2000 W. Self (2001) iv. 94 What they've failed to account for all along is the creeping cosmopolitanism that's transforming their culture. 1559 W. Baldwin et al. Warwick lxxxi I thinke the Erle of Warwike although he wer a glorious man, hath sayd no more of him selfe than what is true. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. iii. 4 We will..draw no swords but what are sanctified. View more context for this quotation 1611 2 Cor. i. 13 We write none other things vnto you, then what you reade or acknowledge. View more context for this quotation 1664 S. Pepys 2 Jan. (1971) V. 3 To the King's house..and saw ‘The Usurper’, which is no good play, though better then what I saw yesterday. 1676 J. Dryden ii. 25 An easier yoke than what you put on me. 1677 in C. E. Pike (1913) 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 (1912) July 139 Hauing noe body to bee with at home but what is noe Friends. 1758 S. Hayward xvi. 475 He was under no obligations to take human nature, only what arose from his free..promise. 1762 Ld. Kames I. i. 31 We feel a gradual dilatation..of mind, like what is felt in..an ascending series. 1798 L. Murray (ed. 4) iii. 124 All fevers, except what are called nervous. 1868 M. Arnold 21 The Revolution made a clean sweep of all old endowments; what exist date from a time since the Revolution. 1937 ‘E. Queen’ xviii. 229 No education except what I've picked up. 2009 P. Davison in ‘G. Orwell’ Introd. p. vii. He usually gave no thought to the preservation of the manuscripts of his published work—what survive..probably do so because he did not live long enough to destroy them. 11. With a specific sense implied. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) 7761 Uss birrþ witenn whatt iss Godd. ?a1300 (a1250) (Digby) (1907) l. 59 Wost þu neuere wat [a1350 Harl. whet] ich am? c1426 J. Audelay (1931) 223 (MED) Here may ȝe here now hwat ȝe be. c1540 J. Byrch (final page) Wot you what they say, they maruayle what you are. a1658 J. Cleveland Rustick Rampant in (1687) 114 He delighted to be..acknowledged for what he was. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil 525 And what Æneas was, such seem'd the Shade. 1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler IV. 276 The Court is still very splendid, though much altered from what it was in the year 1716. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. ii. 185 The country was not what it had been twenty-two years before. 1861 W. M. Thackeray Roundabout Papers xii, in May 636 Would you have your wife and children know you exactly for what you are? 1891 2 May 533/1 The book is very much what might have been expected from the author. 1932 ‘B. Ross’ i. i. 24 He's a prig, that's what he is. 1969 21 Aug. 7/3 The Soviet Union stood revealed for what it now is—an imperialist power. 2000 N. Henderson (2001) xiv. 156 Charing Cross Road, which we agreed.., was not what it was when it enjoyed the reputation of a book-browsers' paradise. 1523 J. Fitzherbert ix. f. ixv The whiche a surueyour may nat forget to put in his boke and to but and bounde them as they lye, and who be the fermours and what rentes they pay. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. l To bye al maner of necessarie thynges, belongyng to housholde: and to make a trewe rekenynge & accompt to her husbande, what she hath receyued and what she hath payed. 1646 in M. Sellers (1906) Introd. p. lxvi They desire, that what as hath allready bene equallie disburst,..be brought to accompt, and what as remayned in Cash be returned up. 1664 S. Pepys 18 Mar. (1971) V. 90 Their service was six biscuits a-piece and what they pleased of burnt claret. 1718 No. 52. 1 The Romans learnt, what they knew of this Mysterious Doctrine, from the Etrurians. 1789 9 Apr. 3/2 What of the votes in Newhampshire for President, we have seen, are nearly equally divided. 1889 July 230/2 The African churches in the South are fired with commendable zeal to do what they can in the education of their people. 1907 ‘E. C. Hall’ 271 The rest of you can take what you want of the furniture, and if there's anything left, that can be my part. 2014 6 Jan. 44/1 The U.S. military monitors what it can of the hundreds of tons of cocaine that enter the U.S. 1595 A. Fletcher 71 Looke what the touch stone is to gold, the same is gold to man. 1675 N. Grew ii. ii. 49 And what the mouth is, to an Animal; that the Root is to a Plant. 1732 G. Berkeley I. iv. xxi. 256 Intellect is to the Mind, what Sight is to the Body. 1853 J. Ruskin III. iv. 175 What the elm and oak are to England, the olive is to Italy. 1914 Dec. 608 Jingoism is to true patriotism what bigotry is to true religion. 2005 (Nexis) 4 Mar. ff9 Alicia Keys is to soul music what Norah Jones is to folk. 12. 1553 J. Coke tr. A. Bogaert sig. D.ij Discentions, sectes, dyuers factions and lyke thynges, be more to be had in horreur, then the discordes of Emperours and kynges, and what is worse, they be more hurtefull then shoulde be warre turquoyse. 1697 W. Dampier i. 5 Where we saw (what we always feared) a Ship [etc.]. 1713 A. Pope 8 Dec. (1956) I. 201 If it be true, what I have heard often affirmed by innocent People, that [etc.]. 1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins 40 And, what was reckon'd very odd, the Cabbin-Bell came ashore. 1817 W. Scott I. v. 95 She wore, what was then somewhat unusual, a coat, vest, and hat, resembling those of a man. 1839 W. M. Thackeray 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. 1904 2 Apr. 2/3 He has been guilty of a little slip—and what is far worse, of being found out in it—but he is doubtless a better man than many. 1966 I. Murdoch iii. 32 Pattie resented too, what before she had scarcely noticed, Carel's assumption that Muriel and Elizabeth were socially her superiors. 1970 C. W. K. Mundle 16 Their claim is sometimes that so and so is..incorrect English, sometimes (what is very different) that it is absurd or meaningless. 2012 31 Aug. 43/2 There is..in the green paper..what is very welcome, a pronouncement that no provider should be forced to use unit standards. 1638 C. Aleyn 29 This Breviarie of consuming ire And Commonplace, of what is called stout, Grew by their opposition. ?1697 J. Lewis (1789) 15 A fortification, mounted with small guns, and what were stiled his great ones, which were four little brass cannon. 1794 in (1918) 8 Other demonstrations of what they call Loyalty. 1801 S. T. Coleridge (1895) 346 Calvert is..what is well called a handy man. 1828 211 A very small pea,..a kind of what is called squashies. 1856 E. B. Browning i. 1 I, writing thus, am still what men call young. 1908 R. Bagot v. 40 She is what she calls ‘taking your measure’. 1944 R. Matheson ii. 32 It is responsible also for what is known as tick paralysis and Colorado tick fever. 2004 1 Feb. 23/3 She never would be so carefree or so unconscious of what people call the state's ‘race culture’ again. 1756 F. Home ii. i. 37 The strong and lasting vegetative power which the air communicates to the earth, should teach us to make a greater use of its influence than what we do. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian v, in 2nd Ser. III. 137 I think I laughed heartier then than what I do now. 1838 Mar. 161/1 I haven't seen you for the last six months past, and yet we live so short a ways from each other as what we do. 1881 S. Evans (new ed.) 26 Theer warn't a man in Bos'oth as could sweer loike what that man could! 1966 P. Willmott ii. 26 They're all about the same age as what we are. 1989 J. Sullivan (2000) II. 6th Ser. Episode 1. 23/1 They don't speak proper English like what we do. ** As a simple relative pronoun with singular or plural reference. 14. Which (or who); that. OE cxv. 12 Quid retribuam domino pro omnibus quę retribuit mihi : hwæt ic selle drihtne for eallum hwæt he sealde me? lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Bodl.) (2009) I. xl. 373 Eall hwæt [eOE Otho þæt] hi wilniað hi begitað.] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 1115 Nu icc wile shæwenn ȝuw All þatt whatt itt bitacneþþ. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 191 Aftir al this what is tretid upon the firste..gouernauncis. c1450 (1904) I. 86 He told þaim all what at he saw. ?1533 W. Tyndale v. f. xxiijv Here seist thou the vttermoost what a Christen man must looke for. 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara 244 They do al thinges what they lyst, and nothing what they ought. 1597 G. Harvey Trimming T. Nashe in (1885) III. 53 The beast Ephemeron, which because shee hath but one day to liue, hath manie legs, foure wings, and all what Nature can affoord, to giue her expedition to see about the world. 1645 T. Fuller ii. xxv. 124 For matter of Language, there is nothing what Grace doth do, but Wit can Act. 1657 S. Titus 9 They..thought it not adultery what was committed with her. 1740 S. Richardson I. xxiii. 60 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? 1746 J. Exton ii. xx. 275 The first part of it [sc. a statute], which setteth a rate what shall be paid for the freight or portage of Goods and Merchandizes from the Port of London to other places. 1823 Let. 19 May in (1826) 65 But in all what I have said, it has not been my intention to lay anything else to his charge. 1919 J. B. Morton xv If I sat down to write a book, I'd want to shove in all what I saw. 1995 H. Roth 86 I done it all: ran the big saw, fired the boilers for the steam, worked the log carriage. I done everything what they done in a mill. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 11509 Wille iss hire þridde mahht Þurrh whatt menn immess ȝeornenn. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 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. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 39 Gif ðu na þing ne luuest..ðurh hwat ðu miht forliesen godes luue. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 81 Þis monne me mei sermonen mid godes worde, for hwat he scal his sunne uor-saken and bileuen. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 280 He..bid me ofte theachen him sum hwet wið hwat he muchte his licome deruen. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 2533 Hengist..him grantede..is doȝter abbe to wif, Vor ȝwat þe king ȝeue him þe contreie of kent. ?c1335 in W. Heuser (1904) 122 Whannin commiþ þi fair schrute? Mid whate þou art ischrid aboute? c1425 (c1300) (Harl.) 165 Hyi vnder ȝete an welle..Of wat [c1325 Calig. wan] þe kyng ofte dronk. c1330 (Auch.) (1991) l. 106 No more wot a lewed prest in boke what he rat Bi day. a1568 R. Ascham (1570) ii. f. 48 In folowyng so preciselie, either the matter what other men wrote, or els the maner how other men wrote. 1621 H. Elsynge (1870) 34 To add that to the weight what the washers had taken away. 1668 Bp. J. Wilkins 122 That incisure or resemblance of cutting what is common to most of them [sc. insects]. 1829 The Slap-up Swell wot drives when hever he likes. 1838 ‘Della’ viii. 14 I'm a reglar onest feller, what does the thing what's right. I never takes nothing of nobody's what a'nt mine. 1865 C. Dickens II. iii. ii. 17 Them's her lights, Miss Abbey, wot you see a-blinking yonder. 1872 H. Cullwick (1984) 212 You know you bought trumpery fine things what I never want nor you either & the money'd bin as well in the street. 1985 J. Sullivan (1999) I. 4th Ser. Episode 3. 220 I was reading in the Sunday papers about them fellas what pick up with these rich old widows—what they call 'em—toy boys! 2012 S. Townsend xxiii. 143 And in the meantime I 'ave to try and cut the bleedin' grass with a lawnmower what don't mow! †IV. Exclamatory uses. a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1961) Num. xxiii. 23 In his tymys hit shal be seide to Iacob & to Irael what þe lord haþ wrouȝt [L. quid operatus sit Deus]. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. l. 379 Lo now, my Sone, what it is A man to caste his yhe amis. c1475 (Folger) (1969) l. 1117 Haue mynde, Soule, wat Gode hath do. 1611 Num. xxiii. 23 According to this time it shalbe said of Iacob, and of Israel, What hath God wrought! B. adv. I. As an interrogative adverb. (Frequently in rhetorical questions.) eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) (2009) I. vii. 410 Hwæt murcnast þ[u þonne æfter þam] þe þu forlure? OE 137 Hwæt secestu minne naman, forþon he is mycel & wundorlic? a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 5097 Withoute more what shulde I glose. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 2218 What shulde I more telle hire compleynynge. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 162 What ben ȝe greuose to this womman? 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in 148 But what stand we trifling about this testimonie? 1611 M. Smith in Transl. to Rdr. sig. A4v But what mention wee three or foure vses of the Scripture? 1667 J. Milton ii. 329 What sit we then projecting Peace and Warr? View more context for this quotation a1677 I. Barrow (1678) 20 What should I mention Beauty, that fading toy? 2. OE tr. (Cambr.) i. §4. 147 Hwæt hæfð þes rynel gesingod? c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 14018 Ure laferrd iesu crist Þuss seȝȝde till hiss moderr. Whatt falleþþ þiss till me wiþþ þe Wifmann. þiss þatt tu mælesst? a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xx. 9 What haue we synnyd in þe? c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 2523 Quat knawis þou þat? ?1457 J. Hardyng Chron. (Lansd.) in (1912) 27 744 What hath Englonde so felly the offende, This noble prynce..To Rauysshe so fro vs? a1475 in F. J. Furnivall (1903) 278 A, ihesu! quat hast þou gylt? 1535 Baruch iv. C But alas, what can I helpe you? 1816 W. Scott I. xv. 315 It just cam open o' free will in my hand—What could I help it? 1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in (new ed.) II. 15 For what are men better than sheep or goats..If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer? 1858 G. Roy 26 Well..What more your mother than mine? OE (1992) x. 212 Hwæt hylpeð þam men aht, þeah þe he ealne middangeard on his anes æht eal gestryne? lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Bodl.) (2009) I. xxviii. 300 He þeah weorðode his deorlingas mid miclum welum; ac hwæt was him ðy bet? a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xxxvii. 26 What schall it profyte vs ȝif we slee oure broþer? c1500 (?a1475) (1896) l. 1664 What were they bothe amendyd that day? a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 627 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 114 Quhat fele armes on loft..The said pursewant bure. a1535 J. Fisher (?1578) sig. Avijv And what am I now ye better for all this? 1593 W. Shakespeare sig. Ciij What cares he now, for curbe, or pricking spurre. View more context for this quotation 1593 W. Shakespeare sig. C What were thy lips the worse for one poore kis? View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 119 Now what avails his well-deserving Toil. View more context for this quotation 1757 S. Foote i. 16 Lord! what signifies carrying such a lumb'ring Thing about? 1865 J. Ruskin i. 74 What do we, as a nation, care about books? 1913 H. P. Cameron tr. Thomas à Kempis iii. l. 170 What is a man the better for bein' regairdit grit be men? 2016 N. Yoon 267 What did it matter if he worked himself to death? What did it matter if he smoked himself to death? the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [adverb] > indicating a question OE (Northumbrian) iii. 4 Numquid potest in uentrem matris suae iterato introire et nasci : hweðer uel hwæt mæge on wombe modor his þætte ge ingæ & acenned sie. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 5182 Quat! ha yee broght him wit yow hider? c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 309 ‘What, is þis Arþures hous,’ quoþ þe haþel þenne. a1593 C. Marlowe (c1600) sig. C6v Come on sirs, what, are you resolutely bent? 1597 W. Shakespeare i. v. 54 What dares the slaue Come hither..To scorne..at our solemnitie? View more context for this quotation 1604 W. Shakespeare i. i. 16 Say, what is Horatio there? View more context for this quotation 1677 E. Ravenscroft ii. i. 13 What's he a Spy too? 1741 tr. Marquis d'Argens xxxii. 243 What have they been extinguish'd by Sorcerers, as they had been form'd by supernatural Prodigies? a1852 W. T. Spurdens (1858) III. 57 What, otiosè, in asking a question. This is the Shibboleth by which a cockney tradesman detects a Norfolk or Suffolk customer. E. g. ‘What, have you got any good so and so.’ Or inter se, ‘What, are you going to the farr?’ ‘No: i've bin.’ 1961 J. A. Williams i. 18 Look, man. You're on your ass. What, you too proud to work for me? 2007 A. Theroux xv. 213 It was Jamm the Wesort. ‘Hey, gooseknuckle, what, you come down to see me?’ II. Indefinite (non-relative) uses. eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) (2009) I. xxxii. 536 He tiohhode, gif hi hwæt gesyngoden on ðæm freodome, þæt hi hit eft..gebeten. OE (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 22 Gif þu hwæt miht [L. si quid potes] gefylst us ure gemiltsud. 5. †a. Introducing each, or only the first, of two or more alternative or coordinate words or phrases: some..others; both..and; including..and; partly..partly. Now only with specific meaning implied, as in sense B. 5b. Often, esp. in early examples, capable of being construed as a pronoun = ‘some’.a1225 (?OE) MS Vesp. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 237 Of þe folce we siggeð þat hit cumþ fastlice..wat frend, wat fa. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 8289 Wat adreint wat aslawe, tuelf princes þer were ded. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 5548 Wat þoru is stalwardhede, wat þoru godes grace, Mony was þe gode body þat he slou. c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1973) l. 8873 What wiþ wristling wat wiþ togging What wiþ smiteing and wiþ skirminge On boþe half so þai wrouȝten Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 3907 Quat of his wiues tuin in spus, And wat of hand wimmen in hus, Tuelue suns had he o þaa. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 118 (MED) In þat oste er fyfty comacy of men, what of hors men, what of fote men. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 2058 The thinges that I herde there What a lovde, and what in ere. 1531 W. Tyndale Prol. Jonas in (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. 1548 f. xiijv These Lordes had much people folowing them, what for feare and what for entreatie. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden 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 of Monmouth tr. G. Bentivoglio 122 Most of the Kings ships which, what great, what little, were about forty. 1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard ii. viii. 350 A hundred and fifty Horse (what Gentlemen, and what of his own Guards). 1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais i. 19 Seven Children at the least (what Male what Female) were brought forth. 1819 W. Scott II. xii. 204 I conceive they may be—what of yeomen—what of commons, at least five hundred men. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 11004 Seynt Gregory telleþ þarfore a tale þat telþ many one, what grete and smale. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 170 What on horse & on fote, mo þan .CC. .Ml. persones. 1442 T. Bekington Let. in G. Williams (1872) II. 247 (MED) There is in pypes, what in the towne and in the castel, moo than cc legge herneys. ?c1450 (Trin. Cambr.) (1908) 483 (MED) Þat folke were sore adredde and agast, it was so horrible and grete, what of rayne, thondere and lightnyng and hayll. c1500 (1895) 266 About xviii.C what balesters as Archers. c1500 (1895) 240 Many riche rayments..were made what for the spouse, as for the ladyes & damoyselles. 1517 S. Hawes (1928) iii. 18 For the veray perfyte bryghtnes What of the toure and of the clere sonne I coude nothynge beholde the goodlynes Of that palays. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. ccxxiv. 119 b/1 They rode so long what night and day. 1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard iii. ix. 441 They had been mann'd out with above four hundred and fifty, what Mariners, and Souldiers. b. Introducing adverbial phrases formed with prepositions. In the earliest periods chiefly in † what for ( obsolete); later usually and now always in what 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)’. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 145 Alle we beoð in monifald wawe..hwat for ure eldere werkes, hwat for ure aȝene gultes. c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 391 in C. Horstmann (1887) 117 Ȝwat for eiȝe, ȝwat for loue, no man him ne with-seide. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 7100 What for sorow, and what thurgh smoke And what thurgh cald, and what thurgh hete..þai salle ay grete. ?c1450 (1891) l. 1743 (MED) What for hungyr, what for thriste, Þe shipmen of na lykyng lyste. 1476 J. Paston in (2004) I. 493 I ame some-whatt crased, what wyth the see and what wythe thys dyet heere. 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More sig. Gvv The .ii. corners, what wythe fordys & shelues, & what with rockes be very ieoperdous. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) I. 209/2 What for the pillage of the Danes, and what by inward theues and bribers: this land was brought into great affliction. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 80 What with the war; what with the sweat, what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am Custom-shrunke. View more context for this quotation a1672 Bp. J. Wilkins (1675) i. iii. 36 What through their vicious affections..; what through their inadvertency or neglect..they are not to be convinced. 1673 A. Marvell 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 Bp. J. Williams 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 No. 35. 1 325 What by..diminution of trade: what by the immense weight of taxes;..some were actually ruined. 1819 W. Scott III. xiv. 359 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 T. De Quincey Mod. Greece in July 120/1 What through banks and what through policemen, the concern has dwindled to nothing. 1866 C. Kingsley I. ii. 96 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. 1980 M. Robinson (1991) ix. 177 What with the lake and the railroads, and what with blizzards and floods and barn fires and forest fires and the general availability of shotguns and bear traps and homemade liquor and dynamite, what with the prevalence of loneliness and religion and the rages and ecstasies they induce, and the closeness of families, violence was inevitable. 2000 Z. Smith i. 17 But at the time it seemed impossible.., what with a young wife with one in the oven.., what with his dodgy leg, what with the lack of hills. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 24 What for melodye þat þei made in þe mey sesoun, þat litel child listely lorked out of his caue. 1579 T. Twyne tr. Petrarch 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 R. Greene 154 She..wrong out sighes so sore: That what for grief her tongue could speak no more. 1867 14 Dec. 697/1 [She] stood a fair chance of being spoiled, what with suddenly finding herself transformed from a schoolroom Cinderella to a fairy-tale princess. 1955 M. Lowry July (1967) 381 What with this eye business I have to revise entirely my method of writing and..reorient myself to it. 2016 (Nexis) May Worse still..I found—what with being nearly 50—that not all parts of my body were as up for it as I would have wished. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 4166 Now has Kyng Richard of Cipres þe seignorie, what with nesshe & hard wonne þe maistrie. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xviii. l. 85 What þorw werre and wrake and wycked hyfdes. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 46 The foweles..What for the sesoun and the yonge grene Ful loude songen hir affeccions. a1450 (Faust.) (1883) l. 3173 What by-cause of þe hele of þis gode wyff, & also of þe meracle þe whiche þer was do. c1450 (1904) I. 13 What for calde & for holdyng in þe watir, I was nere-hand slayn. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 781 Quat of stamping of stedis & stering of bernes, All dymed þe dale. 1665 T. Herbert (new ed.) 166 What by Themistocles on shore, and Leonidas at Sea, at Salamis and Thermopylæ, his huge Army melted away. 1702 D. Defoe 29 Alas the Church of England! What with Popery on one Hand, and Schismaticks on the other; how has she been Crucify'd between two Thieves. 1768 L. Sterne I. 106 What for poisons, conspiracies and assassinations.., there was no going there by day—'twas worse by night. 1822 W. Cobbett (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 F. Parkman xxiii. 346 What with hunting, fishing, canoe-making, and bad weather, the progress of the august travellers was so slow. 1870 G. W. Dasent xxxvi Aunt Mandeville,..what between the White Lady and the warm verses, was quite upset. 1986 9 May 23/3 What with historians writing like novelists and novelists writing like historians..who can tell the difference? 2011 (Nexis) 24 Apr. The noise was terrific, what with telephone bells ringing and shells bursting nearby. III. Exclamatory uses. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > by or to a great degree or extent > to what a great degree or extent c1225 in C. Brown (1932) 14 Ej! ej! what þis nicht [is] long! 1340 (1866) 51 A god huet we hedde guod wyn yesteneuen and guode metes. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 23175 Quat he war wijs þat moght Stedfast hald þis dai in thoght! c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 2203 What! hit wharred & whette as water at a mulle. a1450 (1885) 114 A! lorde, what the wedir is colde! 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 215 A quhat thai dempt thaim felonly. 1556 in J. G. Nichols (1852) 60 What rebellyous they were. 1812 W. Angus 346 What pretty it is! 1872 J. Kennedy 122 What a size The waves are noo, what heigh they rise. 1927 V. Jacob 5 An' oh! what grand's the smell ye'll get Frae the neep-fields by the sea! 1992 D. Toulmin 71 What pleased I was when I kent it was only a dream. C. int. Exclamatory uses. the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [interjection] > emphasizing a following statement OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) i. 188 Hwæt þa [a1225 Vesp. A.xxii Hwet þa] twegen gelyfede men hine arwyrðlice bebyrgdon. OE (2008) 1 Hwæt, we Gar-Dena in geardagum, þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon. c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine (1993) 140 Hwæt, Crist mihte eaðe mid ane worde þenne deofel senden on ece lure. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 854 He seyde syn I shal bigynne the game What wel come be the Cut in goddes name. 2. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection] OE Ælfric (Julius) (1900) II. 374 Hwæt, þu ungesælige, nast þu þæt me is geseald anweald to ofsleanne and to edcucigenne? c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 19429 Whatt abraham. whatt Moysæs. Whatt tiss & tatt profete? Ne sæȝhenn þeȝȝ nohht drihhtin godd. Inn hiss goddcunnde kinde? a1300 (?c1250) (Jesus Oxf.) (1935) l. 1298 Hwat heo seyde, vle ar tu wod. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 10456 Quat? wenis þu i be a fole? c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiii. l. 183 ‘What?’ quod clergye to conscience, ‘ar ȝe coueitouse nouthe After ȝeresȝyues?’ c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 2900 What, hath sche nat fro deth and fro distresse Preserued þe, and ȝit þou takest noon hede. 1590 R. Harvey sig. B3 What, what, latine in the mouth of a plaine fellow? 1603 W. Shakespeare i. i. 19 What hath this thing appear'd againe to night. 1639 J. Clarke 303 What againe? quoth Paul when his wife made him cuckold the second time. 1749 H. Fielding V. xv. vii. 244 ‘O, Mr. Jones, I have lost my Lady for ever.’—‘How! What! for Heaven's Sake tell me.’ View more context for this quotation 1847 Ld. Tennyson ii. 25 What! are the ladies of your land so tall? 1886 S. Baring-Gould xii ‘What!—not Sunday clothes?’ ‘Sunday is nothing to us.’ ‘What! no go-to-meeting clothes?’ 1948 P. G. Wodehouse xiv. 143 What! You're asking me to bust a pete? 1999 J. Boyle 9 ‘Mr Gorky's been biffing us residents for a start,’ I muttered hesitantly. ‘What! You mean assaulting people?’ a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 4284 What deuyl! why haþ þe prest swych hy? 1498 (de Worde) sig. Aiv/2 Is it thus sayd Attropos what in deuylles date [c1500 Trin. Cambr. R.3.19 what in the deuyllys date]. a1529 J. Skelton (?1530) sig. Ciiv What the deuyll can ye agre no better. 1754 S. Richardson Let. 31 Jan. in J. Duncombe (1773) III. 13 What a duce, must a man be always writing! 1864 C. Dickens (1865) I. i. iii. 15 If there is a word..that I abominate, it is energy... What the deuce! Am I to rush out into the street [etc.]. 1978 J. Linssen lxi. 248 When I walked into his room he looked up and said, ‘Ee, what the 'eck?’ 2009 S. Rainone 193 Dude, what the fuck? Don't tell me this is gonna be another sausage fest, Goldenrod. the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > cry or shout (loudness) > cry or shout [interjection] > specific call or hail c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 5 Ther gan oure hoost for to iape and pleye And seyde sires, what, Don is in the Myre. a1556 N. Udall (?1566) i. iii. sig. B.iij What Tibet, what Annot, what Margerie. Ye sleepe, but we doe not. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer ii. 29 What? courage sirs my felowes al. 1597 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 3 Nurce..I bad her come, what Lamb, what Ladie bird, God forbid. Wher's this girle? what Iuliet. 1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster v. sig. G2 Chamberlaine call in the musick,..what weel make a night of it. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 33 What Ariell; my industrious seruant Ariell. Ar. What would my potent master? here I am. View more context for this quotation a1637 B. Jonson Tale of Tub i. iii. 15 in (1640) III Here they'are both! What Sirs, disputin. View more context for this quotation 1655 A. Brewer ii. sig. C1v What Thornton my old Acquaintance! How ist't, How ist't man? 1878 T. Hardy II. iii. viii. 227 What, Diggory? You are having a lonely walk. D. adj.1 ( determiner). I. As an interrogative adjective. 1. Used in asking the identity of a choice made from an indefinite set of alternatives. Also (now chiefly colloquial): used in asking the identity of a choice from a definite set of alternatives (= which adj. 3). Old English usually shows equivalent use of hwæt as pronoun with a partitive genitive (cf. e.g. quot. eOE at sense D. 1a(a)). A small number of apparently adjectival instances in Old English (chiefly in the Northumbrian gloss to the Lindisfarne Gospels) are probably to be interpreted either as showing a different construction entirely or resulting from errors of translation: cf. quots. OE at sense D. 1a(a), OE at sense D. 1b(a). a. In direct questions. Often with ellipsis, as in what cheer?, what news?, etc.See also what manner of ——?, what way adv. at Compounds 2.eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xxi. 165 Hwæt is ðienga ðe bieterre sie on ðæs lareowes mode.., ðonne se anda ðe for ryhtwisnesse bið upahæfen? OE (Northumbrian) xxi. 7 Interrogauerunt autem illum dicentes: praeceptor quando haec erunt et quod signum cum fieri incipient : gefrugnon ðonne hine cuoeðendo: hæsere..huoenne ðas uel ða biðon & huoelc uel huæd becon uel tacon [OE Rushw. Gospels hwelc gif becun] miððy geworða uel þætte sie uel to wosanne onginnað.] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 15586 Whatt takenn shæwesst tu till uss. Þatt dost tuss þise dedess? c1225 (?c1200) (Royal) (1934) 9 Hwet godd heiestu & hersumest? c1384 (Royal) (1850) 1 John iii. 12 And for what thing slew he him? a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 29034 (MED) Quat bote is fra mete to min And dedeli for to lig in sin? c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 2147 And eueryche cried, what thing is that And somme sayde, I not neuer what. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 39 Quhat tythingis, gossope, peace or weir? a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) i. ii. sig. B7v What cause then..made you venter to leaue this sweete life...? a1596 (1911) i. iii. 71 Sirra, what newes? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 94 What impossible matter wil he make easy next? View more context for this quotation 1749 H. Fielding IV. x. ix. 80 What saucy Fellow..told you any Thing of my Lady? View more context for this quotation 1853 C. Brontë III. xxxvii. 169 A story! What story? 1880 ‘M. Twain’ xxii But what good would it do? 1967 113 805/2 What preventive measures can we take? A number are suggested. 2001 17 Aug. c8/4 What advice would you give to someone who told a new BF that she loved him but has since had second thoughts? c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 683 Quat sterne is it at ȝe stody on? 1652 G. Fidge 33 Hold hold quoth the Justice, this is no laughing Matter..of what Innes of Court are you, Grayes-Inne quoth Marriot. 1815 W. Scott I. xi. 178 ‘What Mr. Bertram?’..‘not Mr. Bertram of Ellangowan, I hope?’ 1974 D. Clement & I. La Frenais (2002) 1st Ser. Episode 1. 40/2 Fletcher What religion are you? Lennie C of E, I suppose. 2014 31 Oct. 20/4 What box does she tick on the census form, when it asks for her religion? b. In indirect questions, and clauses of similar meaning, with varying interrogative force, sometimes approaching the nominal relative use (sense D. 6); cf. sense A. 1b. See also Phrases 4a.OE (Northumbrian) headings to readings v Interrogantibus quod signum daret soluendi templum et in triduo excitandi misterium ponit : ðæm frasendum..huæt uel becon gesalde to undoanne tempul uel..ym ðrim dagum wæccennes clæn run uel Godes degelnise setteð.] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 722 Godess enngell seȝȝde himm þær. Whatt name he shollde settenn. Vpp o þatt illke child. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 34 Bot be the fruit may scilwis se, O quat vertu is ilka tre. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 2718 Þei ȝede spiande here & þere in wate bataile þe kynges were. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 621 Than sir Trystram lete devyse the batayle in what maner that they sholde be. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 33 Tell þes men whad þou hast yseyne, and whad joy þes men han lost. 1549 (STC 16267) Celebr. Holye Communion f. xxiv Graunt that they maie both perceaue and knowe what thinges they ought to do. 1597 R. Hooker v. xlviii. 96 To examine..what dependencie it hath on God. 1667 J. Milton ii. 741 Till first I know of thee, What thing thou art. View more context for this quotation 1720 D. Defoe 27 They call'd frequent Councils of War what Course to take. 1836 C. Dickens 1st Ser. II. 75 How, or at what hour, Mr. Watkins Tottle returned..is unknown. 1918 June 637 He made no attempt..to suggest upon what lines that future might be shaped. 1971 29 Dec. 2/1 Mr Fogg asked what grounds pro-abortionists had for assuming that Britain was overpopulated. 2010 (Nexis) 7 Nov. 21 There was a woman selling magazines for her children's school. I asked what school and she couldn't remember. 1567 W. Painter II. xxix. f. 338v A man can not tell on what foote to stande to conceiue the reason of the same. 1643 A. Tuckney 30 A short spurt doth not try me, but the length and hardnesse of the way will at last tell me what leg I halt on. 1739 J. Swift 11 I wish I knew what King to call. 1981 P. Larkin Let. 13 Mar. in (1992) 643 Let me know later on what train I must meet. 1992 P. McCabe (1993) 125 I don't know what end of me's up with all the things I have to do. 2001 Mar. 54/3 Your computer, which will tell you what area of the field needs water. 2. OE (Julius) (2002) 72 He..gewilnode to oncnawenne hwæt þæt wildeora wære þe him æteowde.] c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) l. 320 Hwet wiht..art tu. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 315 Brut sende vp þere Þre hondred men..to loke ȝwat lond þat were. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 225 He wolde iwite Ȝwat man þe child ssolde be. c1390 (Vernon) l. 314 Tel nou me trewly, vnder what tre? c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1305 Allas what weman wele ȝe of me make. 1445 tr. Claudian's De Consulatu Stilichonis in (1905) 28 269 Þou..askist what life this man hath had. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach i. f. 17v It is to be learned..in planting, what ground is best for Uines, what for other trees. 1605 A. Warren H 2 I dare not call thee Asse, but aske thy selfe, What eares thou hast. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet (1724) I. 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 F. D. Maurice vi. 98 He wants a God as the support of his authority; what God he cares very little. 1879 F. W. Robinson i. vi ‘What wine is this, Fisher?’ ‘Johannisberg, sir.’ 1944 H. Channon Diary 7 Jan. in R. R. James (1967) ix. 384 If you were not a woman—what animal would you like to be? 2001 C. R. Dillon vii. 215 Springwort is a magical plant associated with fire and lightning, but unfortunately we do not know exactly what plant it was. 1340 (1866) 264 ‘And huet is helle?’.. ‘Helle is wyd wyþ-oute metinge, dyep wyþ-oute botme.’ a1450 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Claud.) (1974) l. 1333 Here ben þe wyttus fyue, How þey ben spende, telle me blyue, And whad þou hast in herte more. a1500 (a1400) (Douce) l. 93 What is þi good rede? 1526 James i. 24 He goeth his waye, and hath immediately forgotten what his fassion was. 1608 W. Shakespeare vii. 109 What's the offence you gaue him? View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. v. 239 I see you what you are, you are too proud. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil 405 To search the Land, and where the Cities lye, And what the Men [Virg. quive habeant homines]. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil 553 Noble his Mother was,..But what his Father's Parentage, unknown. 1828 R. Duppa 3 What the Transfiguration may have been, as to execution and colouring, I cannot tell. 1905 R. Bagot xvi You know what he is about anything disagreeable—how he simply ignores its existence. 1958 M. West iii. 56 You know what these mountain people are—irredentist, isolationist, intolerant of foreigners and officials alike. 2004 J. Meno 111 What are you, retarded? a1300 in C. Brown (1924) 3 Loke to mi side, wat Blode ich haue i-leten. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 293 ‘Quhat folk ar thai?’ ‘Schir, mony men.’ 1568 A. Scott (1896) 3 It maid na mis quhat madinnis þai miscareit On fasting dayis. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iv. 125 Macb... What is the night? La. Almost at oddes with morning, which is which. View more context for this quotation 1654 Kirk Sess. Rec. in J. Campbell (1899) 408 To stent and sie what bolls of victuall everie heritor was. 1820 T. Dibdin ii. i. 29 Pray thee what money hast thou brought? 1845 44 What water have you at the mouth of Ramsgate Harbour at dead low-water spring-tides?—Six feet between the piers. 1935 (Hearing before Subcommittee of House Committee on Appropriations, 74th Congr., 1st Sess.) 247 What cash have you on hand at this time over and above the amount that is allocated for the two quarters ending January 1, 1935? 2009 10 Feb. (London ed.) 37 (advt.) In the UK alone, 80 million old mobile phones are not in use... You might just be surprised what money your old ‘brick’ could make for you. c1300 St. Leger (Laud) l. 29 in C. Horstmann (1887) 82 Ȝwat neode is it for-to trauailli ferrore me to lede? c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson (1842) 38 (MED) Quat wundur were hit, thaȝhe him were wo Quen alle his godus were spendutte him fro? 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil vi. Prol. 105 Quhat cristnit clerk suld hym haue consalit bettir, Althocht he nevir was catholik wight? 1593 W. Shakespeare sig. Diiijv What waxe so frozen but dissolues with tempring? View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil 561 With what becoming Thanks can I reply! 1790 R. Burns (1968) II. 553 What Whig but melts for good Sir James! Dear to his Country by the names, Friend, Patron, Benefactor! 1822 P. B. Shelley 21 What hope of refuge, or retreat, or aid? 1848 C. Kingsley xiii What wonder if the children take them at their word and act accordingly? 1977 14 Jan. 6/5 What self-respecting Frenchman can be against individualism or independence? 2001 (Nexis) Aug. (Nightlife section) 55 What pimp would leave his crib without a neckful of gold? II. Relative uses. With singular or plural reference and used of things or persons; always as nominal relative. 5. In generalized senses. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 10111 Whatt mann se itt iss. Þatt hafeþþ tweȝȝenn kirrtless Ȝife he þatt an þatt illke mann Þatt iss wiþþ utenn kirrtell. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 99 It warð on eches muð wat mete se he mest luuede. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 1149 To quat contre so þu wend, Sal þu na man find to freind. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 656 What knyght somever smote downe sir Palomydes sholde have his damesell to hymselff. 1472–3 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 10th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Marquis of Ormonde &c. (1885) 309 in (C. 4576-I) XLII. 1 A strange marchaunt..what that ever condicion he be of. a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 1 That knyȝt shall dye by my crafte, yn what cuntre of the wordle so euer þat he be ynne. a1500 (?c1450) i. 5 In what nede that euer ye haue. 1558 Q. Kennedy To Rdr. sig. Aiii Quhat sect, or opinioun, that euir thov be of. 1594 W. Shakespeare v. i. 82 By that same God, what God so ere it be. View more context for this quotation 1676 T. Shadwell iv. 66 Let what harmony soever be between Lovers at first, in a short time it turns to scurvy jangling. 1716 A. Pope tr. Homer II. viii. 567 What Pow'r soe'er provokes our lifted Hand. 1822 K. H. Digby Pref. p. v The Gentlemen of England, of what rank or estate soever they may be. 1868 W. Morris ii. 460 All people ceased What talk they held soever. 2019 @Olaf_HB 10 Oct. in twitter.com (accessed 8 June 2021) Extremists of what kind soever will not solve any problem at all—they'll only cause even more trouble, so we..need to find a way to make extremism redundant worldwide! c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iii. l. 34 What man þat me louyeþ and my wille folweþ, Shal haue grace. 1422 in F. J. Furnivall (1882) 50 I bequeth to what thenge þat is most necessary in þe same Chirch, v. marc. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 645 What knyght may overcom that knyght that kepyth the pyce of erthe ‘shall have me and all my londis’. c1475 (a1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 311 What man seiþ heyl to siche antecristis shal haue part of heere werkis for assent þat he ȝiueþ. 1567 J. Maplet f. 101 Into what cleare Fountaine or Riuer he swimmeth, he infecteth it. 1599 W. Shakespeare ii. v. 3 Come what sorrow can. View more context for this quotation 1665 R. Hooke 149 Provide a good large Box..and of what depth you shall judge convenient. 1714 A. Pope (new ed.) i. 5 Spirits..Assume what Sexes and what Shapes they please. 1852 H. D. Thoreau 23 June (1997) V. 127 The red color of cattle also is agreeable in a landscape—or let them be what color they may. 1891 W. Morris 126 Unmoved I stand what wind may blow. 1943 C. S. Lewis 39 We shall get at last a race of conditioners who really can cut out all posterity in what shape they please. 2016 2 Mar. This weekend, I will continue to find new ways to stay active and involved in my surroundings no matter what weather may come, including volunteer opportunities. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > not specified > of any kind > whatever a1504 J. Holt (1508) i. sig. A.vv The nominatyf accusatyf & vocatyf plurell shall alwaye be lyke, of what gendre soeuer yt nownes be. 1528 iii. sig. Bv Other men yt be of inferyour degrees whyther they be marchauntes, yomen, or craftes men or of what condicion soeuer they be they can not be excused. 1597 J. Payne 18 Let all right belevers..be of good comforth vnder what cross or distress soever. 1608 G. Chapman v. sig. H3v Rise then for euer, Quit of what guilt soeuer. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 44 I loue thee not a Iarre o' th' Clock, behind What Lady she her Lord. View more context for this quotation 1664 H. Power ii. 91 At which Angle of Inclination the perpendicular will be equal to 29 inches, let the Tube be of what length soever. 1725 D. Defoe ii. 11 Not to come any nearer, upon what Occasion soever. 1736 Dec. 721/2 Goods, Chattels, and Things of what Nature or Value soever. 1825 W. Scott Talisman vii, in IV. 135 She wore not upon her person any female ornament of what kind soever. 1856 R. W. Emerson i. 15 Mr. Landor..has a wonderful brain,..by what chance converted to letters. 1881 A. C. Swinburne (1899) i. ii. 52 We took in hand to cut this peril off By what close mean soe'er and what foul hands Unwashed of treason. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1114 Fondes to do þe duk what duresse ȝe may. c1390 Cato's Distichs (Vernon) l. 613 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 608 Tak what þing þe profred is Whon þou maiȝt redi haue. 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in 150 By what things I was conioyned vnto you, those things..I haue giuen vnto you. 1608 W. Shakespeare xiii. 2 I will peece out the comfort with what addition I can. View more context for this quotation 1677 in (1890) App. v. 36 Lord Purbecke makes what hast he can to consume his ladie's fortune by gameing. 1710 R. Steele No. 169. ⁋1 Do we..destroy the use of what organs we have? 1796 R. Southey vi. 388 What few to guard the town Unwilling had remained, haste forth to meet The triumph. 1874 J. Ruskin IV. xlii. 129 I will take what indulgence the..reader will give me. 1937 A. B. Campbell xii. 207 What pudding was not clinging to Donald be-plastered the deck-head. 2001 3 Feb. (T2 section) 2/3 What tunes you can program depends on what phone model you have. III. Exclamatory and allied uses. 7. Used (with singular or plural agreement) to express the surprising or striking nature of the thing(s) or person(s) denoted by the noun; with a singular count noun usually, and now always, followed by the indefinite article. Often with ellipsis (cf. sense D. 1). the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > very great > and remarkable a1325 (c1250) (1968) 357 Louerd, quat same is me bi-tid, For ic am naked. c1350 in T. Silverstein (1971) 53 (MED) Wyth what mastrie He hat man ywrouht..Wyth what marchandie He hat ybouht. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 2 (MED) What loue hadde he to vs his subiettes whan he þat neuere trespaced wolde for trespassours suffre deth! a1500 (?a1400) (1903) l. 530 O, worthy god, what wele is me! 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. clxxii O what a Cyte, and what a se royall Hath had first name of pore men and rurall. ?a1525 (c1450) Christ's Burial & Resurrection ii. l. 1157 in F. J. Furnivall (1896) 210 What a fawte it was, The seruaunte, alas, His master to forsake! 1530 (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 119 O wyth what reuerence,..wyth what inwarde deuocyon..oughte we to haue vs in euery place. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 159 O father Abram, what these Christians are. View more context for this quotation 1604 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 305 What peece of worke is a man. View more context for this quotation 1615 W. Lawson (1626) 32 What rottennesse? what hollownesse? 1635 A. Stafford 133 O what proficients in Faith did these rusticall Swaines prove in a moment! 1705 J. Addison 307 What a strain'd unnatural Similitude must this seem to a Modern Reader? 1776 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse (1844) III. 160 What a house! What people! what manners! 1798 G. Hay in (1913) Dec. 288 What shocking times we live in! 1825 W. Scott Talisman i, in III. 15 What was the surprise of the Saracen, when, dismounting to examine the condition of his prostrate enemy, he found [etc.]. 1847 C. Brontë I. ii. 18 What a consternation of soul was mine that dreary afternoon!.. Yet in what darkness, what dense ignorance, was the mental battle fought! 1855 R. Browning i Oh, what a dawn of day! How the March sun feels like May! 1888 H. R. Haggard xli What rubbish you talk. 1906 E. Dyson vi. 66 ‘What rot, girls; why don't yer get er shift on?’ cried Feathers virtuously. 1999 D. Mitchell 63 That woman is Mad Cow Disease on two legs… And what legs they are… 2010 May 34/1 Jesus! What a pig ugly baby. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 1610 (MED) Quat was his reut þan all mai see. 1554 in (1913) July 528 When I consydere ever what servants of God they were and so dyed. 1597 W. Shakespeare i. iv. 21 Me thought what paine it was to drowne. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 252 Do'st thou forget From what a torment I did free thee? View more context for this quotation 1708 in W. Mure (1854) I. 216 You cannot imagine what a parcel of cheating brutes the work people here are. 1713 J. Addison in 28 July 1/1 We may see after what a different Manner Strada proceeds. 1808 W. Scott ii. vi. 83 See what a woeful look was given. 1841 C. Dickens ii. lxix. 198 You may judge with what devotion he..clung to this girl. 1916 W. Sanday 93 Let..the ordinary church-goer call to mind what a large proportion of the best of our hymn-tunes are German. 2001 A. Sayle 21 She couldn't find it in herself to show him up by letting all the others know what cock he was talking. †E. conj. 1. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 11 Muchel is us þenne neod..wet we on þisse middelerd liuien sod scrift. a1225 (?OE) MS Vesp. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 235 Swa laȝe..adiliȝede..wat hit com to þa time þe god sende þe halie witiȝe. c1275 Kentish Serm. in J. Hall (1920) I. 217 Þu hest ihialde þet beste wyn wath nu. c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) l. 4902 In þat cite þai bi-leued þere What Tirry was hole & fere. 1340 (1866) 87 Wyþoute comynge ayen of huyche þinges, non ne is ury in þise wordle, huet hi is y-do. c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 123 Fram crystes resurreccioun, Wat comeþ hys ascensioun. a1425 (?a1300) (Linc. Inn) (1952) l. 364 No schaltow neuer fro me go..What [c1400 Laud Forto] Y wot þy lordes wille. a1425 (?a1300) (Linc. Inn) (1952) l. 377 (MED) What hit feol þat nyȝt hit was, Jn bedde wok dame Olimpias. a1500 tr. Lanfranc (Wellcome) f. 28 (MED) Take hede what þu resoluest and ripist [L. tempore resolutionis & maturationis]..þat þe plaister be not to hote ne to cold. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) iv. l. 35 Ector..Caste on a day wiþ Grekes for to fighte As he was woned to greue hem what he myghte. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 30 He..welcomyt hym worthely as a wegh noble And fraynit hym with frenship qwat the fre wold. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione iii. sig. Ji.iiiiv As though she wold..allure what she can the eyes and affection of who so beehouldeth her. 1647 N. Ward 48 I speake these things to excuse, what I may, my Countrymen in the hearts of all. 1690 W. Penn (1834) 6 They changed what they could, the kingdom of Christ..into a worldly kingdom. 1575 J. Rolland i. f. 15 Befoir my Maiestie..Or my deputis quhat thay be greit or small. c1580 ( tr. (1929) IV. l. 8555 With ten thousand And ma, quhat lord or quhat seruand. F. n.the world > existence and causation > existence > [noun] > entity, being, or thing > something the world > existence and causation > existence > [noun] > entity, being, or thing > something > a something 1654 R. Whitlock 149 We have seen the Pittifull who's, and in short the slender whats are against modest Learning in Religious Division. 1903 A. Maclaren 54 We are not seeking a What; we are seeking a Whom. 2016 K. J. Vanhoozer xii. 289 God is a who, not a what. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > something queried the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > act or instance of > with specific form the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > [noun] 1556 J. Heywood lxxxix. sig. Hhiiiv Of my former tale, ye then well way. For of the what, that is the whie: in fine. 1656 A. Cowley Extasie in vi An unexhausted Ocean of delight Swallows my senses quite, And drowns all What, or How, or Where. 1796 F. Burney III. v. vi. 79 ‘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 J. L. Motley Let. 1 July in (1889) I. ii. 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. 1837 L. Hunt Blue-stocking Revels ii, in (1844) 114 My lady will know all the what and the why. 1861 J. Brown 2nd Ser. 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 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze 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. 1993 Sept. 95/1 When navigating the digital seas, ‘fingering’ provides an excellent way of ascertaining the who, the what, and the where of a particular system or node on the Net. 2014 14 Sept. (Late ed.) 12/2 The directors developed an ‘action script’ that laid out a structure, as well as the what and where, but not the dialogue. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > [noun] > cause of surprise > expression of surprise 1597 H. Clapham sig. fii When the Hearers were offended in him..not by him..they then fall to Whats and Ifs and all sortes of disgracinge Interrogatories. 1779 J. Warner in J. H. Jesse (1844) IV. 254 His partner..gave..a ‘What!’ of such sharp, shrill astonishment, that you could not but have laughed at it. 1785 F. Burney 16 Dec. (1842) II. 375 The What! was then repeated. 2012 S. I. Kiss 126 A shocked Shirley looked up with a ‘Whaat’ on her lips. Phrases P1. Phrases with what as pronoun, in direct and indirect questions. a. but what. 1545 R. Ascham i. f. 5 And I do not doubt, but what my desyre, what your loue toward it, the honestie of shoting, the profite that may come therby to many other, shall get the seconde parte out of you at the last. 1644 E. Arnold tr. D. Pareus (i. 11) 21 To the end he might not doubt, but what he did was truely divine. 1763 J. Wesley 23 Aug. (1931) IV. 221 There is no doubt but what you at first experienced was a real foretaste of the blessing. 1840 59 476 I don't know but what it may be better fun dining in this way, and eating as much as I like. 1857 H. P. Montgomery Let. 29 Nov. in C. F. Williams et al. (1984) 68 There is no doubt but what we can get more work than we can do. 1916 L. W. Robinson Let. 14 Aug. in K. B. Betheny (2007) App. A. 243 There is no doubt but what many improvements could be made. 1934 P. G. Wodehouse xii. 162 Dotty, beyond a question. And who knew but what that dottiness might not run in the family? 2006 C. McCarthy 50 Oh I dont doubt but what it's possible to die from bein full of shit. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xxvi. 924 Canel..may nought be yfounde but what falleþ by his owne wight or is ysmyte doun wiþ leded arwes. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. ii. 14 Padua affords nothing but what is kinde. View more context for this quotation 1662 J. Evelyn sig. b7v Never any of the Antients excelled in these Arts, but what were Gentlemen. 1694 R. South II. 381 Few are Confident, but what are first Careless. 1711 No. 24 I don't know one Politician but what Drunkenness wou'd make a Sot of. 1747 May 247/2 Of the sails that were left, I believe there is not a cloth but what has a shot through it. 1761 F. Sheridan I. 45 There are not many masters of eminence but what have a hundred originals palmed upon them more than ever they painted in their lives. 1780 J. Bentham (1789) xiv. p. clxxxv (note) There are few madmen but what are observed to be afraid of the strait waistcoat. 1796 C. Smith IV. 133 Not one of these insinuations but what gathered something from malevolence. 1846 Apr. 320 Each [hound] strained his best to reach the game, and not a spirit among them but what would have haunched or throated him with the last throe of life remaining. 1662 H. More Immortality of Soul (ed. 2) 96 in We cannot discover any immediate operation of any kind of soul..but what it first works upon, etc. 1753 A. Murphy No. 43 There hardly arose an Incident, but what our Fellow-Traveller would repeat twenty or thirty Verses in a Breath. 1862 A. Trollope I. 47 Nor am I yet so old but what I can rough it still. 1908 W. H. Davies xxiv. 211 I seldom lie down at night but what I am half skimished (half drunk), for I assure you I never go short of my skimish. 1933 D. L. Sayers (1978) 28 I never sees a bunch o' grass but what I think of Mrs Susan Brown. 1756 tr. 18 Not but what they entertained shrewd Suspicions of the Part which Demosthenes and Astius were now playing. 1814 W. Scott I. vi. 88 Not but what I would go to—(what was I going to say?) to the plantations for the church with pleasure. 1883 E. Fitzgerald Let. 9 Apr. in A. C. Benson (1905) i. 19 Never having read his father's [poems]..till drawn to them by me... Not but what he loved and admired his father in every shape but that. 1894 G. Du Maurier (1895) vi. 284 Not but what many changes had been wrought. 1908 R. Bagot 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. 1937 D. L. Sayers (1968) vii. 117 Not but what it'll be a kind of busman's holiday for you. 1984 S. Keery (2011) xi. 126 Not but what all that family was in fact rotten with consumption. 2011 A. Elliott 181 Not but what I'm certain our lads will give old Boney's lot a grand beating tomorrow. 1779 H. Cowley ii. ii. 31 I'll buy him twice as many books as a College Library; but what I'll bribe him. 1807 25 Apr. 166 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. 1849 E. Bulwer-Lytton III. xvi. ix. 168 It will go hard but what I shall find something to suit you. 1891 Feb. 595/2 I'll go through this town like a fine-tooth comb but what I'll find him. eOE ix. 34 Propter quid inritauit impius dominum : fore hwæt [OE Lambeth Psalter forhwan, lOE Salisbury Psalter for hwæt] bysmrade se arleasa? c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 14113 Forr all mann kinn to shæwenn swa. Forr whatt he comm onn erþe. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 4814 Forr whatt iss drihhtin me þuss wraþ. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1657 Iacob tolde him for-quat he swanc So fer. c. what for: (in main or subordinate clause) for what purpose, with what object; for what reason, why. 1688 1 We have been abused with feigned dangers and false fears: And what for? If not to cover, break and lessen the guilt of a Protestant Invasion? 1852 H. B. Stowe I. xiv. 218 ‘I want him.’ ‘What for, pussy? Are you going to use him for a rattle-box, or a rocking-horse, or what?’ 1913 22 Feb. 15/1 ‘Come round to the office, you!’ he says; and I asked him what for. Instead of telling, though, he just clouted me under the ear. 1953 A. Baron xxiv. 178 This battalion came all the way from Africa, two thousand miles of bloody misery.., and what for? To clean their crap up after them! 2013 T. Creed viii. 68 ‘Alice, can I borrow you for a bit this evening?’ ‘What for?’ Alice and her grandmother asked in unison. 1692 R. L'Estrange cccxvi. 276 A Good Woman happen'd to pass by as a Company of Young Fellows were Cudgelling a Wallnut-Tree, and ask'd them what they did That for? 1714 R. Fiddes (ed. 2) II. 236 But what I cited all these passages for is to show [etc.]. 1734 I. 454/2 As she was standing at the End of Stone-Cutters Alley, a Gentleman came along, and asked her what she stood there for? 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian iv, in 2nd Ser. I. 125 What are ye maundering and greeting for? 1857 T. Hughes ii. i. 249 The boot he had just pulled off flew straight at the head of the bully... ‘Confound you, Brown, what's that for?’ 1934 J. Tobias ii. 37 Gracie pulls the rope taut. Henry trips and falls sprawling... You little demon! What did you do that for? 2002 R. Gervais & S. Merchant 1st Ser. Episode 5. 192 What you wanna be a psychiatrist for? They're all mad themselves, aren't they? 1668 M. Bruce 11 Since I know that, what for should I be discouraged and cast down? a1796 R. Burns (1968) I. 279 ‘Geld you!’ quo' he, ‘and whatfore no’. 1823 J. Galt II. xxxii. 323 The children wondered whatfor an honest man should be brought to punishment. 1948 E. Waugh 51 What for you want new ideas? 1984 J. Platt et al. vii. 127 What for you want to do that? 2003 T. McEwen 129 What for did they spend all those hours in the Dublin House? 2008 R. Fairnie (SCOTS) No. 176 Gin Alexander McCall Smith can dae it for Botswana, whit for shuid she no dae it for Glesca? society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > severely 1852 2 Nov. 3/6 ‘Come on,’ says the gallant capturer. ‘What for?’ says his victim. ‘What for!—I'll show you what for; come on’. 1860 1 Feb. 2/4 Myers said, ‘If I can get him in here I will give him what for’; that was the common expression of one man who wanted to pitch it into another. 1873 Feb. 137/1 It'll give you what for if it touches your lips. 1946 ‘P. Wentworth’ (1996) vi. 38 But don't you say I said nothing about it, because if Mrs. Robbins knowed she'd give me what for. 1966 18 Aug. 229/1 The stereotype of ‘the wily oriental gentleman..the half-civilized levantine..the type of fellow who must be shown what for’. 2004 J. Denby v. 35 Oh, if my mam sees me goin' in there, I'll get such what for! 2007 2 May (Extra section) 5/3 Even Bill the guitar genius is a bit timid when it comes to mandolins, he's poked it gingerly in the past and said ‘Isn't that amazing!’ but she just grabbed it and gave it what for. OE tr. (1958) xiv. 20 Ða cwæð se cyng: ‘Þurh hwæt wast ðu þæt?’ c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 199 Þurrh whatt maȝȝ icc nu witenn þiss? 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xi. 28 God..wat quhat-to [1489 Adv. quhat-till] all thing efferis. g. In elliptical phrases with an adverb, conjunction, or preposition, the precise sense of which varies with and may usually be inferred from the context or circumstances. (a) the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > making inquiries [phrase] 1662 25 What about Nathaniel Gibbs? 1697 E. Ravenscroft i. ii. 5 What about my Daughter? 1722 D. Defoe i. iii. 113 What about Mr.—, Sir? 1792 J. Robinson ii. i. 22 Mr. Fingercash. You know my clerk? Amant. Yes, what about him? 1833 H. Martineau ii. 34 What about the cattle-marks? 1892 R. L. Stevenson & L. Osbourne xv. 242 ‘What about the men?’ I asked. ‘They know too much by half.’ 1914 ‘I. Hay’ xiii. §5 Game and rubber..! Now, what about bed? 2007 26 May (Guide Suppl.) Central Listings 52/3 What about Simon? The nice-but-dim estate-agenty one who looks a bit like a Disney boy turned adult. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > subject to outside forces [phrase] > querying possibility 1778 iii. 15 I ca'd you ††††† I own, just now; But, what about it? Sure a' a' the country kens 'tis true, And nane does doubt it. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii, in 3rd Ser. II. 155 ‘I don't know whether you have or not,’ said Bucklaw; ‘but what about it, though you had?’ 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ ii ‘Did anybody tell you about the Manor Lodge?’ ‘No, not a word; what about it?’ 1927 H. A. Vachell 259 Your head keeper says we must have two guns apiece. Now—what about it? 1982 J. Sullivan (1999) I. 2nd Ser. Episode 6. 112 What about it then Rodney, eh? Me and you, eh? 2004 M. Beaumont x. 126 ‘Now, if I might be allowed to give you some advice. Dress.’ ‘What about it?’ ‘Wear one, my darling.’ 1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye I. 63 Ye shall haue verie few, but say, that they are enimies to euill... But what? As they neuer knew what goodnes meant, so they knowe as little of the contrarie. 1605 P. Erondelle N 7 b O Marguerite!..thou hast beene heeretofore greatly esteemed in France, but what? all other thinges doe wither,..as well as flowers. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > of course, certainly [phrase] 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus v. v. sig. Bb But I se my father, but what now may I do? may I go to hym? what els. Father I haue synned into the heuen and before the. 1592 J. Lyly 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. 1605 i. sig. E4v Am. To expiate or mittigate his wrath: For he hath misconceyued without a cause. Gon. O, I, what else? a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse v. iii in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Ffff2v/1 1 Sh. Do you think this great man will continue here? 2 Sh. Continue here? what else? hee has bought the great Farme. 1771 Nov. 200/2 El. Something else must be thought of. Hor.What else? 1856 C. Dickens (1857) i. xiii. 115 Pancks put the counter question, ‘What else?’ It packed up, in the smallest compass, a weight that had rested on Clennam's life; and he made no answer. 1980 Spring 2/2 That edition is now known as (what else?) ‘The Printer's Bible’. 2002 25 Mar. 114/3 The same quality extra-virgin olive oil..has recently been repurposed—as (what else?) a beauty aid. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > however, nevertheless, notwithstanding c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 8105 Acc whatt forr þi nass þatt nohht don. ?a1475 (1922) 112 Nevyr þe les what for thy..With-owth mannys company she myght not be with childe. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > subject to outside forces [phrase] > querying possibility OE tr. Vindicta Salvatoris (Cambr. Univ. Libr.) in J. E. Cross (1996) 275 Gea hlaford, and hwæt gif ic swylcne man gemete, hwylce mede sceal ic hym behatan? a1300 (c1275) (1991) l. 149 Wat if he leue haue of ure Heuen-Louerd For to deren us? a1382 Prefatory Epist. St. Jerome in (Bodl. 959) (1959) ii. l. 15 What ȝif þylk beest ȝe hadden herd tellyng hys own wordeȝ? c1450 (1904) I. 74 Saynt Basll sayd; ‘what & I dye nott or to-morn?’ 1594 W. Shakespeare iv. iv. 9 What and if His sorrowes haue so ouerwhelmde his witts? View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton ii. 174 What if all Her stores were op'n'd, and this Firmament Of Hell should spout her Cataracts of Fire. View more context for this quotation 1766 O. Goldsmith II. i. 21 My ship sails to-morrow...What if you go in her as a passenger? 1838 6 Oct. 291/2 ‘Oh, Jacques, are you going to fight?’ ‘Yes, Louise.’ ‘And what if you are killed?’ ‘Then I shall be happy, my dear, for I shall not see strangers and conquerors enter Paris.’ 1876 R. Browning x What, and if your friend at home play tricks? 1995 28 Jan. (Outlook section) 21/7 What if firms accept e-money as payment for goods and use it to pay workers? 2019 A. Ridker v. 84 What if we went somewhere? Like a trip? I can borrow a car. c1225 (?c1200) (Royal) (1981) l. 586 Hwet nu, unwreste men.., nu is ower stunde; hwi studgi ȝe ant steuentið so stille? c1300 St. Dunstan (Laud) l. 591 in C. Horstmann (1887) 18 ‘Ȝwat nou?’ quath þis bolde maister: ‘ȝwy ne habbe ȝe him i-brouȝt?’ 1609 W. Shakespeare v. iii. 101 Pand. Do you heere my Lord... Troyl. What now? 1835 J. W. Orderson i. ii. 11 Heyday ! What now? What is the meaning of all this? 1901 G. B. Shaw iii. 149 Auxiliaries. Alarm! Alarm!.. Centurion. What now? has the old woman attacked you again? 1931 W. Faulkner xix. He standing there listening to the sweet cloistral bell, thinking Now what? What now? and answering himself: Why, nothing. Nothing. It's finished. 1988 C. Manson 180 I pulled the trigger. Click, nothing happened. Crowe smiled and I thought, ‘Oh fuck, what now?’ 2011 M. C. Beaton (2012) 283 Mrs. Ada Benson called on Mrs. Bloxby. The vicar's wife looked at her wearily. ‘What now?’ she asked. (g) a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil (1957) iv. Prol. l. 200 Quhat of bewte, quhar honeste lyis ded? 1600 W. Shakespeare i. i. 228 I am thought as faire as shee. But what of that? Demetrius thinkes not so. View more context for this quotation a1821 J. Keats Otho i. i, in R. M. Milnes (1848) II. 119 To me! What of me, ha? 1826 J. Galt xvii. 151 ‘I understood that Mr. Mailings..was one of your most particular friends.’ ‘Well, and what of that?’ 1877 D. M. Wallace xxvi. 419 But what of their Panslavistic Aspirations? This is a subject which has at present a special interest, but on which there is not much to be said. 1956 N. Algren (1992) ii. 268 Sure he'd been drunk but what of that? 2014 107 256 What of the explosion in social media? 1589 W. Warner (new ed.) vi. xxx. 132 Nay, be it that he should espie false carding, what of it? 1663 T. Porter i. ii. sig. B3 Pars...ah, ah, ah, ah, this hand yea this same hand of yours. Mod. And what of it Sir? Pars. It melts like Butter 'gainst the Sun believe me, I would come neerer verily, that is unto your Lip. 1839 C. Dickens xxviii. If this young lord does dog your footsteps, and whisper his drivelling inanities in your ears, what of it? It's a dishonourable passion. 1912 C. Mackenzie xxi. 217 ‘I saw you go off with a fellah.’ ‘What of it, Mr. Nosy Parker?’ 2011 C. McGuigan in A. Bissett & C. MacDougall 29 98 Even if I do get caught, well, what of it? The employment crisis won't affect call centres. a1382 Prefatory Epist. St. Jerome in (Bodl. 959) (1959) ix. l. 54 What þenn? dampne we þe olde? 1564 ****ij What then? Did he not appoynt temperall rites? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. iv. 23 Say I do speake with her (my Lord) what then? 1847 C. Brontë II. iv. 108 But if..they..dropt off and left me one by one, what then? 1899 H. G. Wells Star in Dec. 1194/2 Stop a planet in its flight, rob it of its centrifugal force, what then? Centripetal has it, and down it falls into the sun! 2012 20 Jan. 17/4 What if I never get to sleep? What then? (i) OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) xl 530 Se witega cwæð, þæt se miccla Godes dæig is swiþe gehende, & þearle swift... Hwæt þeah hit langsum wære to þan dæge swa hit nis þeah ne bið ure tima langsum. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (1872) Prol. l. 4003 What though thyn hors be bothe foul and lene If he wol serue thee, rekke nat a bene. 1667 J. Milton i. 106 What though the field be lost? All is not lost. 1742 A. Pope 245 What tho' we let some better sort of fool Thrid ev'ry science, run thro' ev'ry school? 1821 R. Heber in July 316 What tho' the spicy breezes Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle... In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of God are strown. 1893 H. Jacobs 95 What though, like the rushing torrent, ye make havoc and destroy, Executing God's high warrant, Dashing down men's cup of joy. 1952 E. J. Pratt in R. Brown & D. Bennett (1982) I. 299 What though the odds were nine to one against. 2016 (Nexis) 23 Oct. c9 What though the odds, Duke won over defenseless Notre Dame. 1517 S. Hawes (1928) xvi. 73 What thoughe quod he, drawe you not abacke. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iii. 46 Heere wee haue no Temple but the wood... But what though? Courage. View more context for this quotation 1642 J. Milton 54 What though? because the Vulturs had then but small pickings; shall we therefore go and fling them a full gorge? h. In various other interrogative phrases, with a finite verb. OE St. Euphrosyne (Julius) in W. W. Skeat (1900) II. 352 Þa wearp he him wæter on, and hine up ahof and cwæð: hwæt is þe, min hlaford? c1300 (Laud) (1868) l. 1951 Bernard, hwat is þe? Hwo haues þe þus ille maked? c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 2720 Þo sede on to an oþer, merlin, wat is þe. Þou faderlese ssrewe, wy misdostou me. a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 20379 Whi wepestou what is þe For alle loues telle now me. 1589 T. Nashe To Students in R. Greene Epist. sig. **2v A secular wit that hath liued all daies of his life by what doo you lacke. 1597 N. Breton sig. E2v The sonne of What lacke you, was become the onely right worshipfull. 1614 J. Cooke B 1 What lacke you sir? faire stuffes or veluets? 1664 T. Killigrew Parsons Wedding i. i, in 75 His Father was a..Pedler, a what do you lack, Sir. 1698 W. Salmon 24 All the Shows in Bartholomew-Fair, cannot present you with a more Pageant like Introitum. What do you lack, what would you Buy? here are all sorts of Cordial and Distilled Waters. 1938 18 June 5/3 On Monday five important London stores will be sending up their inviting cry: ‘What do ye lack, ladies?’ 2017 @DerekJohnBryant in twitter.com 17 June. (accessed 21 June 2021) Amazon's anti-comparison shopping patent: the latest version of the traders old cry ‘What lack ye’? 1642 J. Denham iv. 29 But stay Gentlemen, what thinke you of a bottle now? 1749 H. Fielding IV. x. iv. 32 ‘What think you of some Eggs and Bacon, Madam?’, said the Landlady. View more context for this quotation 1793 W. Cowper 27 What think you, Sir, of killing Time With verse address'd to me? 1815 S. T. Coleridge (1959) IV. 742 Should this weather continue, what think you of a Fête champêtre in Caen Groves. 1962 11 Feb. (Mag.) 38 (advt.) What think you of a holiday in the Royal Palace of Kings of Yugoslavia? society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > guessing game > specific 1748 E. Moore i. iii. 12 Lady Fanny made us laugh last Night, at What's my Thought like, by comparing your Colonel to a great Box o' the Ear. 1776 Dec. 634/1 Those who abound in similes, metaphors, and allusions, retain their childish affection for the game of ‘what's my thought like?’ 1847 Ld. Tennyson Prol. 10 We.., like as many girls..play'd Charades..And what's my thought and when and where and how. 1892 10 Dec. 17/3 Children at Play. What's My Thought Like?—Everyone sits in a circle [etc.] 1999 D. Wise 61 Although technically a word association game, What's My Thought Like? requires players to stretch their minds for some creative thinking. (e) colloquial. what's to ——. In questions (frequently rhetorical) with a transitive verb in the infinitive. Cf. earlier more general predicative use of active infinitives, denoting the action of which the predicated noun is the object, at to 11a(c). Interrogative use of this construction has survived in what's to do? (see do v. Phrases 1a).1949 E. Rosenberg x. 109 ‘You like him,’ Mrs. Bender states. ‘I like him,’ Mrs. Rivkin agrees. ‘What’s not to like?' 1965 28 Nov. x. 19/1 Her attitude toward her acting career is casual. ‘What's not to like?’ she asked. ‘Acting is my business.’ 1994 29 Apr. 51 We are so besotted with these four... Paul is especially cute... The songs are nice too... What's not to like? 1998 30 Jan. 22/1 It's got everything a hip '90s-style one-hour comedy-drama should... So what's not to love? Apparently, a lot. 1973 J. Tasca iii. 60 Stephanie. You don't understand, cynic. Judy. What's to understand? 1985 J. Sullivan (1999) I. 4th Ser. Christmas Special 277/2 Abdul. My apologies, Chief Inspector—couldn't we discuss this in a civilised and gentlemanly manner? Slater. What's to discuss? I've got you bang to rights. 1998 S. O'Connell 203 ‘You'll have to tell me more than that.’‘What's to tell? We split up. End of story.’ 2000 8 May 22/2 What's to lose? That's the argument being made by the Clinton administration, business interests, and economists who are urging Congress to grant China ‘permanent normal trade relations’. 1938 27 Jan. 9/1 I'm strictly all right, friend, but what's with that drummer of yours? 1940 J. O'Hara 125 Nick what's with the free food? Explain. 1962 E. Linington viii. 122 He says..‘What's with Whalen?’ When he hears Whalen's out, he gets mad. 1969 ‘V. Packer’ (1970) viii. 62 ‘What's with you and these long baths?’ Archie asked. 1976 24 Jan. 1/1 But it's not easy, because an interloper keeps asking depressing questions—such as: How do you feel about the state of the country? What's with the economy? 1978 K. Amis xv. 158 What's with Jake is that he can't get it up any more, and what's with Brenda is she thinks it's her fault for having gotten middle-aged and fat. 1986 T. Clancy (1988) iii. 47 What's with the tile on your deck? I never heard of rubber decks on a ship. 2005 (Nexis) 31 Dec. 5 I..will defend secularism to the end and detest fundamentalists..but what's with all the rabid anti-Christianity this year? a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. l. 663 Sche began the wode rage, And axex [read axeth] him what devel he thoghte. c1400 (?c1380) l. 196 (MED) What þe deuel hatz þou don, doted wrech? c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 2694 What deuyl haue I with the knyf to do. 1598 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 37 Falst. What a plague meane ye to colt me thus? Prin. Thou liest, thou art not colted, thou art vncolted. View more context for this quotation 1599 T. Heywood sig. E3 What the dickens is it loue that makes ye prate to me so fondly. 1614 T. Jackson ii. 133 What a Gods name, hinders him from doing it? 1709 R. Steele & J. Addison No. 110. ⁋4 What-a-Pox hast thou to do with Ladies and Lovers? 1757 T. Smollett i. viii What the deuce are you afraid of? 1818 P. B. Shelley 8 Oct. (1964) II. 43 What on earth does he mean by some of his inferences! 1829 W. Scott I. xi. 320 Thinking what in the universe it could be made of. 1836 F. Marryat II. ii. 55 What the hell are you making such a howling about? 1897 S. Crane xvi. 105 I wonder what in blue thunder you mean. 1970 G. Lord xv. 136 What the fuck do you think you're doing? 2012 D. Park xii. 254 Marion, what in the name of God is going on? Have you lost your sense? 2007 K. Cannon & T. Fey (transcribed from TV programme) 2nd Ser. Episode 6 What the what?! 2009 @James_Wooten 30 Dec. in twitter.com (accessed 31 Aug. 2021) What on earth possessed me to take a stroll in this weather? What the what was I thinking? 2021 (Nexis) 11 Sept. 25 A study has..found that..more than five hours of free time a day actually causes greater stress and lowers well-being. Five hours! What the what? P2. Phrases with what as pronoun in indirect questions, chiefly as the object of know and other verbs involving cognition. a. Phrases used as nouns to denote something unknown or only vaguely apprehended or suggested, or something that need not be specified. See also know-not-what n., watnawhat n., you-know-what.the mind > language > naming > anonymity or lack of a name > [noun] > thing or person whose name is forgotten or unknown OE 5 Hyse..[h]rand under gyrdels hyre stondendre stiþes nathwæt.] 1568 A. Scott (1896) 815 Thay luve no man effeminat, And haldis thame, bot I wat not quhat, That can nocht be withowt thame. 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch 154 When he was about to speake (I wot not what) as touching painting-craft. 1840 W. M. Thackeray Barber Cox in 33 Shouting out, ‘Aha!’ and ‘Sapprrrristie!’ and I don't know what. 1856 H. D. Thoreau Let. 21 May in (1958) 424 So we shall save some of our money..and lose—I do not know what. a1950 R. H. Williams Let. in W. C. Williams (1982) 28 They received cargos from Europe of rice, flour and I don't know what. 2011 Oct. 21/1 These days there's all these wraps, subs, clubs, paninis, ciabattas and I don't know what. the mind > language > naming > anonymity or lack of a name > [noun] > thing or person whose name is forgotten or unknown 1569 R. Grafton II. 765 Sent, no man wist whether, to be done wyth, God wot what. 1662 A. Brome (new ed.) i. 52 Next come those idle Twittle-twats, Which calls me many God-knows-whats. 1772 T. Bridges (rev. ed.) 42 Thetis, stroking your knees, as on the ground you sat, and rubbing up, the Lord knows what. 1823 Ld. Byron lxvii. 38 They fell in love;—she with his face, His grace, his God-knows-what. 1834 F. Marryat I. xiii. 190 He was always talking about centres of gravity, displacement of fluid, and Lord knows what. 1944 P. Larkin Let. 16 Apr. in (1992) 88 He has been getting smashing reviews, comparing him to Keats & the lord knows what. 1958 J. Cannan i. 5 That blasted Primrose will have arrived by now—yak yak yak, talking Eve into God knows what. 2005 B. Keating & S. Keating (2006) x. 187 Our herds could be infected with foot-and-mouth and God knows what. the mind > language > naming > anonymity or lack of a name > [noun] > thing or person whose name is forgotten or unknown ?1548 A. Gilby f. cxviii You seme worthy to be one of those that affirme you knowe not what, beinge puffed vp wyth the fleshly Imaginations of your owne mynde. 1570 R. Sempill Exhortatioun to All Plesand Thingis in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. 126 Ȝe worke maist lyke ȝe wat not quhat With your Politick heidis. 1648 G. Skutt 11 Your Voting men into Prison for High Treason, and Voting them out agen for you know not what. 1675 R. Baxter 105 There are men..who are no subjects of Christ, nor under any Law of grace by Christ, and yet not under the meer Law of Innocency; and therefore are under some other Law (who knows what?) or lawless. 1701 Dr. Wallis in C. R. L. Fletcher (1885) I. 330 Under penalty of..(who knows what?). 1975 J. Cacavas 166 I spent a great deal of time at the publishing house of Bourne, Inc., as an arranger, editor, composer and who knows what. 2014 M. Miller ii. 38 You play as an angel, and there's lots of dungeon crawling, fighting, and who knows what. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [phrase] the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > worldly wisdom > have worldly wisdom [phrase] c1422 T. Hoccleve Dialogus (Durh.) l. 778 in (1970) i. 138 They me oghten haue in greet cheertee, And elles woot I neuere what is what. a1425 (?c1350) (1964) l. 432 (MED) Ful sarily þan þare i sat; For wa I wist noght what was what. a1556 N. Udall (?1566) i. ii. sig. B.j Enamoured quod you? haue ye spied out that? Ah sir, mary nowe I see you know what is what. 1598 Chaucers Dreame in T. Speght f. 361v/1 Neither knew I kirke ne saint Ne what was what, ne who was who. 1600 S. Rowlands Epigr. xxv. 31 Tut, tell me not whats what; I know the law. 1663 S. Butler i. i. 12 He knew what's what, and that's as high As Metaphysick wit can flie. 1740 H. Bracken (ed. 2) II. vi. 215 I dare venture to say..that not a common Farrier in the Universe, knows what's what. 1799 tr. Comtesse de Genlis II. xliii. 94 I am an old practioner; and, simple as I look, I can see what's what. 1860 W. M. Thackeray v I had so much claret on board, I did not much know what was what. 1911 26 Oct. 8/4 My distinguished friend..who appeared as a witness had told me what was what. 1983 P. Fussell i. 18 The locals tend to know what's what, even if they feel some uneasiness talking about it. 2001 L. Voss 407 I know a great little teacher. A bit shouty, and very bossy, but she'll soon show you what's what. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 1784 Ye be lyke the swynt catte That wolde haue fissh, but wostow whatte He wold no thinge wete his clowes. 1597 W. Shakespeare i. v. 83 This tricke will scath you..I know what . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 86 Wot you what, my Lord [1597 heare you not the newes], To day the Lords you talke of, are beheaded. 1751 E. Moore iii. 41 I'll tell you what tho'—I can lend you a Regimental Coat of my own. 1899 H. Wyndham viii. 176 Tell you what, Bill, you can start your stock with one of my old shirts for the price of a quart. 1922 May 721/1 Can you beat that? And you know what? They was going to grab what dough they could and run and leave me there. 1957 S. Grapes (1974) 84 Do you know what? Oul Mrs. W—— allus git inter a frap when she go up ter Norridge. 1960 H. Pinter 98 You know what though? It looks a bit better. It's not so windy. 2014 (Nexis) 27 May 42 There are politicians with a vested interest in persuading us that it's immigration..which really threatens this country. But, you know what? Ukip can kiss my chuddies. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > be versed or skilled [verb (intransitive)] the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > experience > be experienced [phrase] 1535 2 Chron. xii. B They shalbe subdued vnto him, yt they maye knowe what it is to serue me, & to serue the kyngdomes of the worlde. 1593 W. Shakespeare sig. Ev Thou know'st not what it is, With iauelings point a churlish swine to goare. View more context for this quotation 1608 M. Kellison Ep. Ded. sig. a v Till miserie had taught the prodigal Sonne wit, he neuer knew what it was to liue at home in his Fathers howse. 1711 J. Addison No. 26. ¶7 Though I am always serious, I do not know what it is to be melancholy. 1860 W. M. Thackeray Roundabout Papers ii, in Mar. 383 As for the first night at a strange school, we most of us remember what that is. 1885 G. B. Shaw 29 Dec. (1965) I. 149 Paquito has not the remotest idea of what it is to be exploited on the piece-work system by newspapers. 1901 W. R. H. Trowbridge xiii. 58 To know what dust is, you must come to Switzerland in August; the road was like driving through sand. 1974 L. Murray (1991) 98 My great-grandfather John Is Remembering what it is to conquer country: Brush soil upturned, Thin-legged black people who would show you fruit. 2001 6 July (Goodwood Festival Suppl.) 15/1 The drivers who race their cars up the Hill might touch speeds of 160mph but they do not know what excitement is. P3. Phrases with what as nominal relative pronoun. a. In phrases expressing unspecified miscellaneous other items. 1575 T. Cartwright p. lx. And iff the taking vp off a straw, be donne to good ende, either off helping him selfe, or others, regarde of profite, or pleasure, or what els. 1579 (new ed.) at Reservation Theyr reseruations were as wel..in vittailis, whether flesh, fishe, corne, bread, drinke, or what els, as in money. 1586 Earl of Leicester Let. 3 Feb. in (1844) 85 Impostes, customes, and what ells that yeld them money. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) 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. View more context for this quotation 1659 in (1919) July 287 That..you will afford the best of your assistance..and what elce needfull. 1873 J. Ruskin 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. 2004 (Nexis) 10 Jan. 28 Take this from the US Fox Network's Bill O'Reilly: ‘I don't care about him doing whatever he does with crocodiles or what else. But you don't use a baby.’ 1911 23 Dec. 808/2 (advt.) Will exchange a slightly damaged bird cage for good touring car, or what have you? 1924 26 Apr. p. vi./2 Judge [a weekly]..wants amusing, or emotion-stirring drawings and text-essays, satires, sketches, burlesques, jokes, paragraphs—or what have you? 1944 W. H. Auden (1945) 115 Disguising himself as a swan or a bull or a shower of rain or what-have-you. 1956 A. Wilson 163 Too busy or going on leave or what-have-you. 2003 A. Strauss 187 I believe she's a shopaholic. Spends thousands each month on clothing and what-have-you. 1629 J. Gaule 487 The little I haue, may (for what I know) out-last my Life. 1685 G. Jeffreys 3 For what I know, the greatest part of this City had perished; and yet you are willing to believe it was Accident. 1696 M. Pix ii. 16 Lord! Lord! your Head is always upon Cuckolding, All the Cuckolds may be hang'd, for what I care. 1758 A. Murphy ii. 33 He may go to Jericho for what I cares. 1798 C. Smith I. 22 She may die for what you know. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian x, in 2nd Ser. II. 247 It may have been murdered for what I can tell. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ I. i. viii. 175 Adam Bede and all his kin might be drownded for what you'd care. 1875 J. Ruskin V. lx. 332 You may think, for what I care, what you please in such matters. 1988 (Nexis) 12 June 101 When he died he allowed all his affairs to fall into the hands of his latest wife. She may be an angel for all I know, and for what I care. P4. Phrases with what as adjective (determiner). 1535 R. Copland tr. sig. Biii Her gosseps and her neyghboures to Semblynge lyke a prosessyon God knewe what desstruccyon Drynkynge my wyne all at theyr ease All thynge goeth to perdycyon. a1635 in (1906) 3 43 There was present on horse-backe, I knowe not what poetical preacher, named Pourcase. 1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti ii. iii. 205 There has been already some disgusts.., about I know not what reducement of the Light-horse. 1700 P. Motteux et al. tr. M. de Cervantes I. iii. vi. 201 A Wallet at her Back, wherein they say she carried a piece of a Looking-Glass, half a Comb, a broken Pot with Paint; and I don't know what other Trinkum Trankums to prink her self up. 1883 Jan. 409/1 We may see kings, queens, dukes, counts, sheikhs, beys, sultans, khedives, pashas, rajahs, and I don't know what potentates besides. 1883 13 Oct. 467/1 Made up of plasters and match-boxes and medicine-bottles and heaven knows what other oddments. 1971 J. Fleming iv. 47 One of those floaters who wandered round the markets looking for heaven-knows what scraps of unrecognized treasure. 1999 C. Brookmyre (2000) 338 They'd been in the thick of it, sharing God-knows-what experiences together, from foreplay to gunplay. b. J. Gaytryge (York Min.) (1901) l. 65 (MED) Teche tham thair childir..What tyme so thai er of eld to lere tham. c1475 Antichrist & Disciples in J. H. Todd (1851) p. cxxiv Seynt Ion..seide what tyme he lyued þat þenne weren many antecristis. a1500 (a1450) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4225 What tyme that eny kyng weddid shuld be..The kyng and she shuld neuer togeder mete. 1535 Zech. viii. 14 Like as I deuysed to punysh you, what tyme as youre fathers prouoked me vnto wrath. 1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 21 in What time the gray-fly winds her sultry horn. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in I. xx. 190 What time the monster of the Deep pursued The Hero. 1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. Dante Vita Nuova in ii. 299 It is your fickleness..makes me tremble thus What while a lady greets me with her eyes. c1882 G. M. Hopkins (1967) 93 Walked with the wind what while we slept. 1885 R. Bridges vii. ii. 79 Was the contest waged What day the Sirens with the Muses strove. 1936 W. B. Pemberton ix. 253 He and his brother were quietly mobilising their forces what time a rollicking..Carteret dictated optimistic despatches. 1945 R. Hargreaves 24 One side getting ready for the next time what-time the other as carefully and methodically prepared themselves to fight the last. 1963 39 ii. 53 He might declare his willingness to ‘cross hell on a rotten log fer a chanch fer to give 'er a piece o' the workin's o' his mind, er aither nuver speak to the slankin' thang agin what time breath's in his old cyarcass, one.’ 1413 in J. Robertson (1862) IV. 643 And att what tyme at the forsayde lady may be tretyt till vpp gyff tha landis..till infeffe William Frasare in the sayde landys. 1533 T. More vi. p. cccxxiii Tyndale muste of reason geue vs leue to laugh at hys prowde inuented folye. And I shall fynde hym foure suertyes..that at what tyme herafter he proue hym selfe a trewe prophete, I shall vppon reasonable warnynge onlaugh agayne yt all. 1569 R. Grafton II. 65 The kinges Ambassadors repulsed of the French king returned, at what tyme he sent another Ambassade vpon the lyke cause. 1630 tr. G. Botero (rev. ed.) 128 I read..that it was builded..in the time of Edward the third of England; at what time our Kings..had as yet nothing to doe in this Citie. 1648 J. Evelyn Let. 18 Dec. in (1852) III. 34 Abstaining from using uncivil terms at what time they differed in judgment. 1653 H. More 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. 1707 N. N. tr. J. Crasset II. 91 With that we all retir'd to our Prayers, and persever'd in them till next Morning, at what time I said Mass. P5. colloquial. what all. a. Used in phrases as the object of know to denote things unknown or unspecified, usually at the end of a list, following and. Cf. Phrases 2a. 1609 R. Tynley ii. 44 For these haue made vnto themselues,..their Image-gods, of gold, siluer, brasse, wood, stone, and I know not what all. 1702 S. Parker tr. Cicero Transl. Pref. The Grandeur, Eloquence, Neatness, and I know not what all, of an Author's Expression. 1850 J. D. Hooker Let. 26 Nov. in C. Darwin (1988) IV. 374 Palms Tree-ferns Camellia leaves & I do not know what all. 1859 E. C. Gaskell Haunted House: Ghost in Garden Room in Extra Christmas No., 13 Dec. 33/1 There's examins, and catechizes, and I dunno what all for him to be put through. 1980 R. Rhodes i. v. 95 He had the names of hundreds of bullfighters at his fingertips. And all the terminology. Veronicas and gaoneras and mariposas and farols and I don't know what all. 1998 B. Kingsolver (1999) ii. 165 Using these people like slaves in your rubber plantations and your mines and I don't know what all? a1652 R. Brome New Acad. i. 15 in (1659) Think of me your brother, that has spent In down-right fellowship (heaven knows what All fraudulent purposes to make any man A miser or a gainer by't). 1762 I. 8/2 I suppose, you'll open upon me with morality; right and wrong; and the Devil knows what all. 1766 W. Kenrick i. v. 6 That..I was obliged to pay the lord-knows-what-all away for one thing or other. 1785 H. Polesworth vii. 52 A vast expence in cooks, scullions, firing, and God knows what all. 1832 Sept. 157/1 We have surely been raving about sun, moon, and stars—flowers, birds, and distant hills—necessity, women, and deuce knows what all, when we ought to have given an account of the Indian nautch-dance. 1948 S. J. Perelman i. 14 By judicious shopping I managed to gather a splendid kit for my journey—a machete, a sola topee, a poncho, an apparatus for distilling seawater, and deuce knows what-all. 1986 R. Ford viii. 202 You can see the UPS truck on our street every day still, leaving off hammocks and smokers and God knows what all. 1993 25 Dec. e4 (advt.) We've got a following made up of New Agers, old lefties, marketing gurus, political hacks, jet-setters, whole earthers, and who knows what all. b. Uses as a compound pronoun. 1878 1 July 7/3 He uster su'scribe a heap er deaf an' dum' an'mals. I 'members one Foaf July he su'scribed,—lem me see if I can 'member what all he did su'scribe. Thar wus two oxes an' 'leven milk cows. 1883 Rep. Comm. 233 in (47th Congr., 2nd Sess.: Senate Rep. 981) II. While you were at Statesville what took place?—A. I cannot tell you what all did take place. 1912 7 Dec. 270/1 Q. What all did he say and what all did you say?—A. I do not know as I could repeat it all. 1931 K. A. Porter 24 Apr. (1990) i. 38 Gene is apt to say ‘Stop talking rot’ when Hart gets explaining what all is wrong with my attitude towards Mexico. 1942 W. Faulkner 76 My mind gonter change about whatall I seed. 1959 F. O'Connor Let. 25 Apr. in (1979) 329 My cousin left me a house in Savannah and I am now learning whatall it needs. 1963 63 62/3 ‘I just got so much to do...’ ‘What all do you have to do?’ 1997 C. B. Divakaruni 226 This chai is very good, What-all spices did you put in it? 2011 85 64 I can name whatall is missing. I can name everything I've lost. 1901 H. Sutcliffe 9 Some reckon Tib helps him wi' his black magic, an' his turning stones to gold, an' what all. 1947 E. Meynell ix. 225 Sheep are most unfortunate creatures in the infections to which they are liable—the foot rot..and the liver-fluke and what all. 1957 J. Kerouac iii. iv. 202 Weariness and..sorrow and what-all was on his mind. 1962 A. Lurie vii. 123 That old Mr Higginson... Got his house full of bird dirt and what-all. 2001 T. Winton (2003) 25 Went to the university and what-all. P6. what you see is what you get. 1912 Aug. 5 (advt.) Dealers who demand the limit in quality will appreciate our standard product. ‘What you see is what you get.’ 1955 4 Sept. g4/1 (advt.) The complete G.E. kitchen is in the price of the home... No extras—what you see is what you get! 2000 3 Jan. 26/2 It is this retro, tough-guy, what-you-see-is-what-you-get, no-nonsense approach that has made him the most influential media reporter in the city. 2021 @_alyssssssac 27 May in twitter.com (accessed 28 July 2021) So happy I don’t have a fake image to maintain. With me, what you see is what you get. Some days I'm an amazing light and others, I'm an absolute wreck. 1982 Apr. 264/2 ‘What you see is what you get’ (or WYSIWYG) refers to the situation in which the display screen portrays an accurate rendition of the printed page. 1991 3 Aug. 42/2 For plain text entry EXP acts as a normal what-you-see-is-what-you-get..program. 2008 P. Bauer et al. in P. Atzeni et al. 24 To support user friendly editing of the texts, we developed a What You See Is What You Get editor. Compounds1559 J. Aylmer sig. P1v Some of you knowe what natured men they be. 1607 R. C. tr. H. Estienne 237 [One] may well doubt whether lockesmithes..vsed files..or rather what fashioned files they had. 1628 G. Wither vi. f. 177 I doe not think..That in it selfe it is materiall ought, What shaped Robes I weare. 1765 J. Cleland (ed. 2) 11 All the men gaze on the person, but hardly one of them brings away the remembrance of what colored gown she had on. 1815 Mar. 830 What sized vessels are they, and by what number are they navigated? 1873 C. C. Reeks vi. 39 In what-shaped orbit does the earth move? 1935 (U.S. Dept. of Interior) ii. i. 116 Beginning with your oldest brother or sister, what numbered child are you, i.e., are you the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, or what child of your parents? 2004 W. Marchment iii. 85 If gene ‘B’ represents brown eyes and ‘b’ represents blue eyes, what coloured eyes will this person have? 2014 L. Evans (2015) 168 ‘I need to change a banknote.’ ‘What sized banknote?’ ‘Twenty.’ C2. 1563 N. Winȝet (1890) II. 6 Quhareby we may cleirlie se quhat way we suld happelie return and be recouncelit to our grete Empriour. c1580 ( tr. (1925) I. 2110 Se quhat way throw hard fecht That all ȝour feiris demanit ar. 1719 A. Ramsay 6 [He] disna care for A how, a what way, or a wherefore. 1799 H. Mitchell 95 What way did it happen? 1902 J. J. Bell v Macgreegor,..whit wey did ye strike puir Wullie Thomson? 1933 J. Gray 35 A'm gled ta see dee. Whit wye is doo, an' hoo cam doo sae shune? 1965 J. K. Annand 14 Whit wey do ye gang there? 2017 (Nexis) 12 Aug. I am celebrating a goal. What way are you supposed to celebrate a goal? This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2022; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † whatadj.2Etymology: Old English hwæt = Old Saxon hwat keen, bold, Old High German hwaȥ, waȥ sharp, rough, severe, Old Norse hvatr bold, vigorous: related to whet v., q.v. Obsolete. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [adjective] > indicating questions the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active the mind > emotion > courage > spirit > keenness > [adjective] OE 1601 Næs ofgeafon hwate Scyldingas. a1000 81 Sum biþ to horse hwæt. c1200 183 To gode þu ware slau and let; and to euele spac and hwat. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 3558 Þer weoren eorles swiðe whæte [c1300 Otho wate]. and leiden þene king bi ane ȝate. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2018). < pron.adv.int.adj.1conj.n.eOE adj.2a1000 |