whichsoˈever, pron. arch.
[f. which: see soever.]
1. = whichever 1.
| c 1450 Godstow Reg. 532 To the said Alisaundre and molde his wyf and to ther heires or ther assignes or whom-so-euer or which-so-euer and whan-so-euer he wolde yeve bequeth selle or assigne hit. 1795 Washington Let. Writ. 1892 XIII. 65 To go to whichsoever [side] their interest, convenience, or inclination, might prompt them. a 1843 Southey Cid ii. xiv, Saying that to whichsoever God should give the victory, to him also would he give up the kingdom. 1862 Johns Brit. Birds 235 Hunting..for whichsoever article of their diet happens to be in season. |
2. = whichever 2.
| a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon xxi. 64 Whiche so euer way ye take, it shall not be without me. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. f 9, [The] Proposal of an obvious..Remedy to the said Evil, to whichsoever of the supposed Causes the same should be found imputable. 1714 [see quot. 1690 s.v. whichever 2]. 1769 Robertson Chas. V x. III. 248 Whichsoever of these authors an intelligent person takes for his guide.., he must discover [etc.]. 1828 Scott Tales Grandf. Ser. i. (ed. 6) II. 274 To whichsoever he might attach himself, he was sure to become an object of hatred and suspicion to the other. 1853 Dickens Repr. Pieces, Noble Savage, Yielding to whichsoever of these agreeable eccentricities, he is a savage. 1853 ― Bleak Ho. x, With whichsoever of the many tongues of Rumour this frothy report originated, it..never reached..the ears of young Snagsby. |