when·as \(ˈ)(h)we|naz, _(h]wəˈ-\conjunction Etymology: Middle English (Scots) when as, from Middle English when (I) + as 1.archaic: at the or any time when : while < whenas in silks my Julia goes — Robert Herrick †1674 > 2.archaic: for the reason that : as 3.obsolete: although, whereas < cried “All hail!” whenas he meant all harm — Shakespeare >