whensoever, adv., conj.
(hwɛnsəʊˈɛvə(r))
Also poet. whensoe'er (-ˈɛə(r)).
[f. prec. + ever adv.; cf. soever.]
= whenever 1.
| c 1320 Cast. Love (Halliw.) 177 Thet whensoever the appul he ȝete, Thorwhe deth that lyfe he shulde forlete. c 1450 Godstow Reg. 532 To..whom-so-euer or which-so-euer and whan-so-euer he wolde yeve bequeth..hit. 1486 Bk. St. Albans d ij b, Whensoeuer and whersoeuer thay se any tame Dookes. 1526 Tindale Mark xiv. 7 Ye shall have povre with you all wayes: and when soever ye will, ye maye do them goode. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. v. i. 158 What he with..all probation will make vp full cleare Whensoeuer he's conuented. a 1716 South Serm., James iii. 16 Wks. 1727 V. 397 Whensoever the Romans conquered an Enemy, it was indeed the General himself only, who was said to triumph. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 20 Whensoever Mr. Southey issues from the press, we find him arrayed in a different costume. 1819 Shelley Peter Bell 3rd v. x. 3 Whensoever he should please, He could speak of rocks and trees In poetic metre. 1853 Rock Ch. Fathers III. ii. 51 The bishop first blessed the attire with which those ministers were to be arrayed whensoever they had to go about their holy office. |
b. ellipt. with loss of relative force: At any time.
| 1604 Shakes. Ham. v. ii. 210 (Qo. 2) If his fitnes speakes, mine is ready: now or when soeuer, prouided I be so able as now. 1651 tr. Life Father Paul Sarpi 10 Either rising from the board, or from his bed at midnight, or whensoever applying himself wholly..to the subject. |