whenadv.conj.n.
/wɛn/, U.S. /(h)wɛn/ I. Interrogative uses.
1. † b. elliptical as an exclamation of impatience. Obsolete.
a. In a direct question: At what time? on what occasion? Sometimes passing into the sense: In what case or circumstances? (cf. 8). Also with ellipsis of the remainder of the question (see also 1b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when? or at what time?
whenc1000
whenever1713
whenabouts1966
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxv. 37 Hwænne gesawe we ðe hingrigende, & we ðe feddon?
c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) xl[i]. 5 Hwonne ær he beo dead, oþþe hwænne his nama aspringe?
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 65 Wenne scal þos bode us god don?
1382 J. Wyclif Psalms xli[i]. 3 Whan I shal comen, and apere befor the face of God?
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 864 Whan schol ye þre to vs be reconsiled?
1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus iv. v. sig. Vjv Thou shalt haue gold tolde out to the. La. Whan, at the Grekish calendes?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. ii. 13 When spake I such a word? View more context for this quotation
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 12 When should People strive their Bonds to break, If not when Kings are Negligent or Weak?
1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Third 34 When shall I die?—When shall I live for ever?
1841 Punch 24 July 21/2 When is a horse like a herring?—When he's hard rode.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. xiv. 127 When shall I come to see you, Mr. Boffin.
1867 Ld. Tennyson Holy Grail 255 Who shall blazon it? when and how?
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > expression of irritation [interjection]
when1592
pshaw1607
que voulez-vous1841
psht1868
what the Hanover1902
gah1917
give me strength1923
for crying out loud1924
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when or at which time > when suddenly
when1592
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iii. sig. E No more I say, to the tortures, when?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 130 Off with my boots, you rogues: you villaines, when ? View more context for this quotation
a1627 T. Middleton More Dissemblers besides Women v. i, in 2 New Playes (1657) 66 Why when? begin Sir: I must stay your leisure.
2. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 115 Deað þet we beoð siker of & vnsiker hwenne.c1400 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 263 Deȝe we ssulin sikerliche; bot god wot wanne & were.1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 13 Whych matter was onse excellentlye disputed vpon, in the Scooles, you knowe when.a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. i. 39 Ile tell you when, and you'll tell me wherefore. View more context for this quotation1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 499 I am to bruise his heel; His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head. View more context for this quotation1779 H. Walpole Let. to Selwyn 5 July Can you tell me if the Duchess of Leinster still goes to Aubigny; and, if she does, when?1828 Hazlitt Self-love & Benev. in Sketches & Ess. (1872) 104 What might be the consequence to myself the Lord knows when?1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island ii. xi. 89 Well, now, if you want to know, I'll tell you when. The last moment I can manage; and that's when.1888 ‘J. S. Winter’ Bootle's Children ii. 16 I haven't seen such food I don't know when.
a. In an indirect question or clause of similar meaning: At what time; on what occasion; in what case or circumstances. Also elliptical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when? or at what time? > at what time or in what circumstances
whenc1000
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [adverb] > in what case or circumstance
howOE
whenc1000
where?c1225
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) ii. 7 Herodes..befran hi georne, hwænne se steorra hym æteowde.
c1375 in Horstmann Altengl. Leg. (1878) 124/1 Alle ȝe haue herd told & rad How & whanne god þis world mad.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5446 Nou rek i neuer quen i dei.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Lev. xiv. 57 That it maye be knowne, whan eny thinge is vncleane or cleane.
1676 N. French Vnkinde Desertor i. 22 To know when to speake, and when to be silent.
1710 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 7 Oct. (1948) I. 44 I wonder when this letter will be finished.
1843 R. S. Surtees Handley Cross I. i. 20 He knew when to lay hold of his hounds, and when to let them alone.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. iii. 183 Say when you've put it safe back, Mr. Venus.
b. say when: colloquial formula used by a person pouring out drink for another, to ask him to say when he shall stop; also elliptical, as a reply to this formula.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking salutations [interjection] > to stop pouring
say when1889
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking salutations [interjection] > to stop pouring > reply
say when1889
1889 Mod. Society 6 June in J. S. Farmer Slang ‘Say when,’ said Bonko, taking up a flagon of whiskey and commencing to pour out the spirit into my glass.
1911 Maclean's Oct. 297/2 ‘Say when?’ I held the glass with a shaking hand: ‘When.’
1931 A. Powell Afternoon Men i. 13 ‘Say when, sir,’ said the waiter. ‘When,’ said Pringle.
1948 E. Waugh Loved One 3 ‘When,’ he added aside to the young man, who helped him to whisky. ‘Right up with soda, please.’
3. After a preposition (esp. since, till), in a direct or an indirect question: = What time?Cf. French depuis quand, German seit wann.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when? or at what time? > since when
whena1400
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5670 Sin quen was þou vr dempster?
1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. Niv If any circumstance of where, or when, or whome, may make a probable Argument.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 63 Since when is it, good Father, that the principal libertine has altered his morals so much..?
1861 H. Kingsley Ravenshoe xix ‘Since when have you missed her?’ ‘Since yesterday afternoon.’
II. Relative and conjunctive uses.Formerly (now archaic) also followed by that (that conj. 6).
4. As nominal relative (cf. what pron. III.**), or as correlative to then (implied and sometimes expressed): At the (or a) time at which; on the (or an) occasion on which.Also elliptical with only the predicate expressed, e.g. when a boy = when he (I, etc.) was a boy; when cold = when it is cold.
a.
(a) In reference to a definite actual occurrence or fact, chiefly with verb in past tense: At the time that, on the occasion that; sometimes with verb in present tense = now that (sometimes with mixture of sense 9a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when or at the time that
thoc893
then971
whenOE
theOE
whensoc1175
whenas1423
while as1625
wen1893
OE Guthlac A 237 Godes ondsacan..geheton, þæt he deaþa gedal dreogan sceolde, gifhe leng bide laþran gemotes, hwonne hy mid mengu maran cwome, þa þe for his life lyt sorgedon.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 576 Sexe hundred ger noe was hold, Quan he dede him in ðe arche wold.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2484 Wan þei þider come, þei founde al awei fare.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8958 Quen þat sco to þe cite com Sco com in at þat ilk yatte, þar þis tre lai in hir gatt.
c1420 Sir Amadace xxix Qwen he was gone on this kin wise, Thenne iche mon sayd thayre deuise.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lxx. 536 Whanne he saw her make suche chere he ferd lyke a lyon that there myghte no man withstande hym.
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1903) II. v. xxiv. 230 We suld nocht leif oure ciete now quhen It hes sa mony ruynouss housis.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1689 Qwhen this Citie was set..Then meuyt to his mynde [etc.].
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus i. xiv, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 239 When that he was certified..that the Ethnicks offred sacrifice..in that place..he sharply rebuked Eusebius.
1581 R. Sempill Complaint vpon Fortoun (single sheet) Sone efter that the Counsell cround ȝour sell, Quhan Godly Murray as a Regent rang.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. ii. 27 Listning their feare, I could not say Amen, When they did say God blesse vs. View more context for this quotation
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music v. 67 Music had then its greatest Power, when the Melody was most confined in its Compass.
1775 J. Harris Philos. Arrangem. xii. 305 'Twas by being attacked when asleep..that the gigantic Polypheme fell a sacrifice to Ulysses.
1779 Mirror No. 23. ⁋3 He lost his father when an infant.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair liii. 474 It was ten o'clock when he woke up.
1863 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 29 Aug. 15/2 When I was a child..I used to think that I should like to play at Chinese Enchanter.
1894 S. Baring-Gould Bk. Fairy Tales 70 It is not the time for violets, when the snow lies deep?
(b) With ellipsis of following clause: in the past, in the old days (North American colloquial).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb]
erea822
fernOE
whileOE
erera1000
whilereOE
onceOE
somewhile1154
whilomc1175
herebeforec1200
somewhilesa1250
yorea1250
orc1275
rather?a1300
erewhilec1305
sometimea1325
sometimec1330
at or in sometime1340
in arrear1340
heretoforea1375
fernyear1377
once upon a timec1380
behinds1382
beforetimea1393
of olda1393
erenow1393
umquhilea1400
erst14..
fornec1400
yore whilec1400
of before1402
late1423
abefore1431
beforetimes1449
whilesc1480
sometime1490
aforrow?a1513
behind1526
quondamc1540
in foretime(s?c1550
erstwhile1569
erstwhiles1569
aleare1581
erewhiles1584
sometimes1597
formerly1599
anciently1624
olim1645
somewhile since1652
quondamly1663
forepassed1664
sometimea1684
backward1691
historically1753
time back1812
had-been1835
when1962
1962 M. Richler in Kenyon Rev. Winter 88 Six months from now..I'll be saying I knew you when.
1968 H. Waugh 30 Manhattan East (1969) 163 She needn't try those airs with me. I knew her when.
1984 M. Hinxman Night they murdered Chelsea viii. 65 The Hearst newspaper group are even flying in Gloria Beesley to cover the case. She knew Charlotte when.
b. In reference to a future time (whether in the present or the past).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > when (in the future)
when971
971 Blickl. Hom. 97 He sceal winnan & sorgian, hwonne se dæg cume.
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 643 He..þrettede þan castle, and þat folk wið ine, wanne he hit mihte awinne.
c1350 Leg. Rood (1871) 21 Vr lord bi-het me þere Wiþ Oyle of Milce smere me whonne hit tyme were.
c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 373 Quen þou art armut in þi gere, Take þi schild and þi spere.
1560 Bible (Geneva) 1 Sam. iii. 12 When I begin, I wil also make an end.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 144 What will Berowne say when that he shall heare Fayth infringed? View more context for this quotation
1646 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) p. xxxi I desyrit our people to convein quhen the bellis suld be rung.
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper iv. 98 When your Head is boiled rub it over with the Yolk of an Egg.
1814 Spaniards iv. i, in New Brit. Theatre III. 234 When that the crown..shall bind the brows Of my unnatural brother.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. xii. 193 Pray St. Etheldreda to be with us when the day shall come.
1889 Ld. Tennyson Demeter & other Poems 175 I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.
1915 ‘I. Hay’ First Hundred Thousand ii. xx. 303 The Oxford Dictionary of the English Language will have to be revised and enlarged when this war is over.
c. Indefinitely or generally: At any time, or at the several times, at which; on any occasion that: most commonly with verb in present tense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > at any time or whenever
everOE
onceOE
whensoc1175
whenc1200
whensoeverc1320
wheneverc1380
whensomevera1425
soever1517
still asa1656
anytime1822
anywhen1834
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when or at or on which
whenc1200
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 147 Wanne hie seȝen men wanred þolien oðer on sinne bifallen..þer-of hie hadden reuðe.
c1220 Bestiary 16 in Old Eng. Misc. 1 Wanne he is ikindled Stille lið ðe leun.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 324 Ich singe an eue a riȝte time & soþþe won hit is bedtime.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 27 Huanne he yziȝþ oþer yherþ þe guod of oþren..þanne him comþ a zorȝe to þe herte.
1461 C. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 197 To see þat þe contre be all-weys redy to com, bothe fote men and hors men, qw [a] n they be sent fore.
?1553 Respublica (1952) iii. vi. 31 Solace we muste nedes have whan that we are werie.
1595 E. Spenser Astrophel in Colin Clouts come Home Againe sig. F1 There was no pleasure nor delightfull play, When Astrophel so euer was away.
1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 87 When God will, all winds bring raine.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 26. ¶7 When I look upon the Tombs of the Great, every Emotion of Envy dies in me.
a1774 O. Goldsmith Elegy on Mrs. Blaize 16 She never slumbered in her pew,—But when she shut her eyes.
1827 W. Scott Highland Widow in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. xii. 263 The answers which he received from him, when conversing on religious topics.
1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 28 Jan. 325/1 I am overpowered when I think of you and your hospitable home.
5. Introducing a clause as the object of a verb, or (later) governed by a preposition: = The or a time at which; †a case in which (cf. 8).This use arises from the dependent interrog. use (sense 2), and the Old English examples are only particular cases of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > the time at which
when971
such time as (or that)1411
971 Blickl. Hom. 227 Hine ðæs heardost langode hwanne he of ðisse worulde moste.
OE Genesis 1433 Hæleð langode..hwonne hie of nearwe..stæppan mosten.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 5939 Sette us terme & quenne [Vesp. term wen] we salle pray for þe & þi men.
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 113 Passe ouer whanne þis stormy nyght was gon, And day gan at my wyndowe in to prye.
1487 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 166 They loke euery owre when the comens of the town schall ryse.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 112 Loking euery day when his Barons and their confederates would cruelly set vpon him.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. ii. 11 I haue seene When after execution, Iudgement hath Repented ore his doome. View more context for this quotation
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. H And know thy when To say, Amen.
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk Ded. In your Fancy carry along with you, the When and the Why many of these things were spoken.
1838 S. Sharpe Hist. Egypt under Ptolemies 186 As to the when, the why, or by whom the pyramids were built.
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason xvii. 320 Since, when I am dead, By none but him the people shall be led.
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise Prol. 202 Expecting when our turn shall come to die.
1884 Dailys of Sodden Fen x I was a grown young man of twenty by when it happened.
6.
a. As simple relative (cf. what pron., adv., int., adj.1, conj., and n. III.*): At which time, on which occasion; and then. Sometimes implying suddenness: = and just then, and at that moment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when or at which time
whenOE
OE Genesis 1265 Siððan hundtwelftig geteled rime wintra on worulde wræce bisgodon fæge þeoda, hwonne frea wolde on wærlogan wite settan.
1461 C. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 198 Wrytyn the xxiij day of Janwari in haste, wan I was not well at hesse.
1562 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 2 Haistelie maid one Pasche twisday,..1562, quhen thair apperit ane daingerous seditioun in Edinburgh.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Ciijv His testie maister goeth about to take him, When lo the vnbackt breeder full of feare,..swiftly doth forsake him. View more context for this quotation
1634 J. Ford Chron. Hist. Perkin Warbeck ii. sig. E2v There haue beene Irish-Hubbubs, when I haue made one too.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 77. ⁋1 We took a turn or two more, when, to my great Surprize, I saw him squirr away his Watch a considerable way into the Thames.
1780 Mirror No. 78. ⁋3 I had not been above three years at college, when the death of an uncle put me in possession of a very considerable estate.
1820 J. Keats Lamia ii, in Lamia & Other Poems 28 There they reposed,..When from the slope side of a suburb hill,..came a thrill Of trumpets.
1893 Law Times 95 62/2 An inspector..tested the drain, when he found that the joints of the pipes were not properly cemented.
1894 S. Baring-Gould Bk. Fairy Tales 58 Scarcely had she touched the spindle when she pierced her hand with it.
b. As quasi-pron. after a preposition (esp. since or till): = which time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [adverb] > when or at which time > which time
whenc1450
c1450 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (BL Add. 36983) p. 1640 Haueþ he me sette any day Aȝens when I me greithe may?
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades i. 12 But then a suter will I be, til when I wish (my child) You from the battayle do absteine.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. ii. 89 Edw. I was adopted heire by his consent. George. Since when he hath broke his oath.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 145 Since when it [sc. Persia] was vanquished by Tangrolipix the Turke, An. 1030.
1712 S. Centlivre Perplex'd Lovers iii. ii. 24 Till when, thou Charmer of my Soul, Farewel.
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound iii. ii. 102 Thy steeds will pause at even, till when farewell.
7. With time, day, etc. as antecedent: = at or on which.The following Old English quot. exemplifies the kind of context out of which this constr. might arise:—Guthlac 82 Fyrst was on godes dome, hwonne Guðlace on his ondgietan engel sealde þæt [etc.].
ΚΠ
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 133 Att ænne time whanne hiss lott. Wass cumenn upp to þeowwtenn.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. Prol. 1 In A somer sesun whon softe was þe sonne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19716 To wait þe time Quen þai moght cum to murther him.
1406 T. Hoccleve La Male Regle 326 Nat tell I can the tyme Whan they to bedde goon, it is so late.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) xii. 38 A day was set whanne the king shuld come and see hire.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vii. sig. Ee8 On a day, when Cupid kept his court. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 98 A time will come, when my maturer Muse, In Cæsar's Wars, a Nobler Theme shall chuse. View more context for this quotation
1788 W. Cowper Let. 29 Mar. (1982) III. 136 At all times when it shall suit you to give us your company.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 72 The ages of faith, the ages when the Church bore sway over every action of life.
1865 Newman Hist. Relig. Opin. iv. 201 Charges..which..I fully believed at the time when I made them.
1876 A. C. Swinburne Note Eng. Republ. 16 Time was when England herself might have claimed..this noblest of human rights.
1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career I. iv. 67 There are times when an example is needed.
8.
a. With the notion of time modified by or merged in that of mere connection: In the, or any, case or circumstances in which; sometimes nearly = if. Often elliptical with only the predicate expressed.The clause with when is often equivalent to a phrase with preposition and gerund ( when he sees or saw = ‘on seeing’; when he says or said = ‘in saying’).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [adverb] > in any case > in the case or circumstances in which
whereso1154
whenc1175
wheresoevera1400
wherevera1616
whenas1904
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 153 Mildheortnesse me kuð him soluen, h [w] enne he him biþengð þet he isuneȝed haueð and þet sare bimurneð.
c1220 Bestiary 502 in Old Eng. Misc. 16 Ȝef ðu it soȝe wan it flet.
1357 Lay Folk's Catech. (T.) 518 That is when we will noght do to god almighten,..That us augh for to do.
1370–80 Visions St. Paul 198 in Old Eng. Misc. 228 He opened þe Mouþ of þat put, Hit stonk foule wȝon hit was vn-schut.
c1400 tr. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh. 63 Ȝers and reals dedys shal bettir come to a kynges mynde whon enhyed.
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) iv. 117 Whan a kynge rulith his reaume only to his owne profite..he is a tyrant.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 181 The quhilk thing the scriptur meanes quhen it sayis [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) v. iv. 44 Oh 'tis the curse in Loue..When women cannot loue, where they're belou'd.
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xxxv. 1) 277 God..takes his opportunity, (for we are best, when at worst).
1724 D. Defoe Tour Great Brit. I. i. 15 When I have said this, I think I have done Malden Justice.
1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 148 Most confident, when palpably most wrong.
1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths i. §42 A painter designs when he chooses some things, refuses others, and arranges all.
1890 J. Chamberlain Speech 7 May in W. S. Lilly 1st Princ. Pol. 161 (note) When great national interests are at stake,..the party system breaks down.
b. As simple relative (cf. 6): †(a) with case as antecedent: = in which: (b) in which case; whereupon; and then.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > whereafter or whereupon
whereaftera1425
whereupon?1461
whereafterward1483
wherewithc1515
wherewithala1542
whenas1553
whereon1588
whereby1600
hereon1602
when1803
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiiv Excepte in case whan you vnderstande nat that ye rede therin.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 10 564 It may be opened with a lancet or a needle, when the fluid will run out.
1880 Encycl. Brit. XI. 695/1 The ribbon..is sometimes couped or cut short, when it becomes a bâton.
9. With the notion of time passing into that of cause or contrast.
a. It being the case that, seeing that, considering that, inasmuch as, since. (Often, and now only, with implication of opposition or contrast, thus approaching b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > cause or reason > [adverb] > because
thyeOE
theOE
asOE
forwhyc1200
whenc1230
forsomuch1454
insomuch asc1500
whenas1551
insomuch1605
'cos1887
c1230 Hali Meid. 9 Hwen þus is of þe riche, hwat wenes tu of the poure?
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2215 Wanne ȝe abbeþ fourme of men, beþ men an alle wise.
a1330 Otuel 1272 Otuwel, whan it is so, Tak þe bataille a godes name.
c1420 Sir Amadace xxviii Quat wundur were hit, thaȝhe him were wo, Quen alle his godus were spendutte him fro.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iv. i. 112 What madnesse rules in braine-sicke men, When for so slight..a cause, Such factious æmulations shall arise? View more context for this quotation
a1637 B. Jonson Timber 1876 in Wks. (1640) III And indeed when the attaining of them [sc. all knowledges] is possible, it were a sluggish, and base thing to despaire.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 4 Yet, where to find that happiest spot below, Who can direct, when all pretend to know?
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. iii. 182 What's the good of my pretending to stand out, when I can't help myself?
1886 E. H. Dering In Light of 20th Cent. iv. 85 ‘If you would only..look at the question without prejudice—’ ‘Prejudice! I like that, when you are full of prejudices about it.’
b. In adversative sense: While on the other hand, while on the contrary, whereas.†In quot. 1490 = although.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adverb] > when or whereas
when1297
whenas1699
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > on condition that [conjunction] > although
thoughc888
thoughc1050
allc1225
when1297
how so?c1330
althougha1350
ifa1400
if alla1400
though all?a1400
andc1400
suppose1400
albeit?a1425
albec1450
wella1470
even though1697
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7770 Hii wolde euere abbe ynou, wanne þe pouere adde wo.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) vi. 153 And whan the kyng gaaff you not his suster, but a simple damoysell, yet oughte you to beleve hym.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 60 To follow rather the Gothes in Ryming, than the Greekes in trew versifiyng, were euen to eate ackornes with swyne, when we may freely eate wheate bread emonges men.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 144 You rub the sore, When you should bring the plaister. View more context for this quotation
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 26 Little things do great works, when great things will not.
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd iv. ii An estate like yours yields braw content, When we but pike it scantly on the bent.
1836 F. Marryat Japhet III. iii. 28 I..received fifty shillings, when I ought to have received, at least, ten pounds.
1888 F. Harrison Cromwell vi. 118 He was solemnly debating a treaty, when he never intended to keep any treaty at all.
III. Indefinite and substantival uses.† 10.
a. adv. At some time (only Old English with nú, seld(um); when and when, at one time and another, now and then. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > sometimes or occasionally
whiloma900
whilea1000
stoundmealc1000
stundumOE
otherwhileOE
umquhile1154
with and withc1175
by stoundsa1225
otherwhilesc1225
umbestound?c1225
umbewhilec1230
then and thenc1275
sometime…sometime1297
umstounda1300
by while13..
over while13..
sometime1340
umbe throwea1350
at timesa1382
now and again (also anon, eft, now)a1393
umbwhile1393
eftsoona1398
sometimea1400
by sithesc1400
umbestoundsc1400
from time to (formerly unto) time1423
now and (also or) then1445
ever now and nowa1470
when and whenc1470
occasionallya1475
in timesa1500
whiles?a1500
whilomsa1500
sometimes1526
somewhiles1528
at whiles1540
ever now and then1542
a-whiles1546
somewhiles…, somewhiles1547
at sometimes1548
now and thenc1550
ever and anon1558
by occasions1562
on (also upon) occasion1562
as soon…as soon1581
every now and then (also again)1642
by a time1721
once and a while1765
ever and again1788
periodically1825
in spots1851
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) ii. i. 94 He nu hwonne on þam ilcan bið on wuldre arisende mid oþrum hyrdum þære halgan cyricean.
c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cxxi. iv And Scottes also that false wer when and when.
b. As the second element of a compound: see anywhen adv., ay-when adv., elsewhen adv., everywhen adv., nowhen adv., seld-when adv. at seld adv. and adj. Compounds, somewhen adv.
11. as n. The time at which something happens (or did or will happen): = time when (see 7); also vaguely, Time, duration.Often in collocation with where or how similarly used.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [noun] > time of occurrence
sitheOE
seasona1400
turna1400
datec1400
when1616
nick1645
whenabouts1898
1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes xxxiii, in Wks. I. 777 Thou art but gone before, Whither the world must follow. And I, now, Breathe to expect my when, and make my how.
1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xxi. 74 The gardener..troubled his head very little with the hows and whens of life.
1820 P. B. Shelley Ode to Heaven in Prometheus Unbound 182 Deep, immeasurable, vast, Which art now, and which wert then! Of the present and the past, Of the eternal where and when.
1864 J. H. Newman Apologia vi. 362 I have very little reason to doubt about the issue of things, but the when and the how are known to Him.
1867 T. Carlyle Reminisc. (1881) I. 101 The when of my first call there I do not now remember.
1885 Ld. Tennyson Anc. Sage 104 Thin minds, who creep from thought to thought, Break into ‘Thens’ and ‘Whens’ the Eternal Now.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
> see also
also refers to : † whennewhenadv.conj.
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adv.conj.n.c900see also
- heatherbloom
- heatherblossom
- heatherbrae
- heatherbrake
- heatherbush
- heathercat
- heatherclad
- heathercovered
- heathercow
- heathered
- heatherer
- heatherest
- heathergrass
- heatherhoney
- heatheriness
- heatherknoll
- heatherland
- heathermixed
- heathermixture
- heatherowl
- heatherrer
- heatherrest
- heatherroof
- heathers
- heatherstockings