wherefore

adverb (wherefore — old-fashioned); noun (the whys and wherefores)

«wherefore» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(old-fashioned) Why; for what reason. tree →
(old-fashioned) Therefore; for that reason. tree →
The whys and wherefores: all the reasons and details. tree →

In the lessons

In literature, Juliet in Shakespeare's play says «Wherefore art thou Romeo?» which means «Why are you Romeo?» (why are you from that family?), not «Where are you?». In modern talk it is used only in «the whys and wherefores». Phrases: the whys and wherefores.

Examples

«Wherefore art thou Romeo?» asks why he is Romeo, not where he is. tree →
I don't need all the whys and wherefores, just tell me what happened. tree →
Wherefore do you weep? (old) tree →
The teacher explained the whys and wherefores of the rule. tree →
In old plays, wherefore means why. tree →
(old) He was tired, wherefore he went to bed. tree →
"Wherefore did ye tarry so long?" tree →

Note

A famous trap: wherefore does NOT mean where. Today it is very rare except in fixed phrases and quotations.

In Jewish tradition

Old word meaning "why" or "therefore," often used when God gives a reason or a command. In the primary lessons: In literature, Juliet in Shakespeare's play says «Wherefore art thou Romeo?» which means «Why are you Romeo?» (why are you from that family?), not «Where are you?». In modern talk it is used only in «the whys and wherefores». Phrases: the whys and wherefores.

Examples

Wherefore say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace; (Torah NUM.25.12, JPS 1917) tree →
Wherefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.' (Torah DEU.19.7, JPS 1917) tree →
Wherefore the well was called 'Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. (Torah GEN.16.14, JPS 1917) tree →
Wherefore will ye contend with Me? (Prophets JER.2.29, JPS 1917) tree →
Wherefore they came back, and told him. (Prophets 2KI.9.36, JPS 1917) tree →
And wherefore the breasts, that I should suck? (Writings JOB.3.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A famous trap: wherefore does NOT mean where. Today it is very rare except in fixed phrases and quotations.

Early Modern English

Meaning

For what reason; in the Torah sometimes it means "therefore". tree →

Then and now

Today it is old-fashioned; we say "why" or "so" instead.

Examples

Wherefore say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace; (Torah NUM.25.12, JPS 1917) tree →
"Wherefore did ye tarry so long?" (Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore) tree →
Wherefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.' (Torah DEU.19.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: why.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «wherefore» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«wherefore» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «wherefore» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«wherefore» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «wherefore» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«wherefore» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.

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