† forˈwhy, adv. and conj. Obs.
Forms: 1 for-hw{iacu}, -hw{yacu}, 2–4 -hwi (3 -we, -wi), 3–5 -qui, -quy, 3–6 -whi, 4– -why.
[OE. for-hw{iacu}, f. for prep. + hw{iacu}, why adv. 1 ¶ , instr. of hwæt, neut. of hwá who?]
A. adv.
1. As direct interrog. For what reason? Why?
| c 1000 Ags. Ps. cxiii. 5 Þu, Iordanen, for hwi ᵹengdest on bæcling? c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 153 Ach for-hwi nemneð ure drihten þis fa to neddre. c 1200 Ormin 12690 Forrwhi wass þatt tatt Sannt Iohan amang þe leode seȝȝde off Crist, tatt [etc.]. a 1300 Cursor M. 11157 Ioseph, dauid sun, for-qui [c 1340 (Fairf.) for-why] Wil þou leue þi spuse mari? c 1475 Partenay 3464 Alas! this for-whi hast thou me in hate? |
b. ellipt. and quasi-int. Cf. the use of why?
In many early examples the interpretation ‘because’ (see B.) would be equally suitable, the punctuation being merely due to the editors.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 7 Ure helendes on tocume þincð ..grisliche alle manne. Forwi! for þat [etc.]. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge ii. 1019 The horses had no power any part to take: For why? by myracle theyr heedes all..Were vp holden in the ayre. 1561 Kethe Ps. c. 4 ‘All people that on earth do dwell’, For why? The Lord our God is good. 1601 in Farr S.P. Eliz. (1845) II. 425 For why? temptations doe approach vs fast. |
2. As indirect interrog. For what reason, why.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 81 Her me ah to understonden for-whi hit seið alf quic. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 507 Schaw sumwhet of ham, for hwi ha beon wurðe for to beon iwurðȝet. c 1320 Cast. Love 115 The reson is good and feir for-whi. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame i. 20 To knowe..the causis Ffor-why this is more then that cause is. a 1400–50 Alexander 4325 And I sall quethe þe forqui & quat is þe cause. |
| ellipt. 1710 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 23 Dec., I will tell you no more at present, guess for why. |
3. With connective force: On account of which, for which cause; wherefore.
| c 1275 Death 31 in O.E. Misc. 170 Ah seoððen moni mon biȝet bores and halle For-hwi þe wrecche sawle schal in-to pine ualle. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2478 Alle our syns þat may be knawen, Commes of our-selven..For-why, with⁓outen God we syn sone. a 1400–50 Alexander 4584 Ȝe say ȝe sawe neuire soile, ne na citis biggis..For-quy as bestis on þe bent ȝe growe on þe greuys. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode i. xli. (1869) 59 The doublet is maad with poynynges, For whi it is cleped a pourpoynt. 1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) 18 For why we wyl and stedfastly commaunde that [etc.]. |
B. conj.
1. Because; = for conj. 1.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 6975 (Gött.) For-qui þai held þair lay lastand, Was na folk þaim miht wid-stand. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame ii. 45 And al my felynge gan to dede For whi hit was to grete affray. 14.. Lanfranc's Chirurg. 214 For⁓micam þou schalt brenne, fforwhi a cauterie drawiþ out al þe matere þat is corrupt. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 202 But no man that hath ony rayson in his hede ought not to counseyll you the same for whi the daunger is there grete. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. x. ii. 144 Regard no dreames, for why the mind Of that in Sleepe a view doth take, Which [etc.]. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 188 The Argument..will ever fall short upon this score: For why, there is not a full reckoning up of those attributes of his [God's] that have to do in the work. 1883 E. A. Freeman MS. letter, It will be pleasant if you go to the Old Borough..Forwhy in that case you will certainly come on hither. |
b. for why that: (a) = sense 1; (b) on the consideration that; provided that.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 3500 Þe fader luued esau for fode, For⁓qui þat he was archer gode. a 1450 Le Morte Arth. 389 (Roxb.) Thou shalt haue yiftis good, For why þat thou wilte dwelle wyth me. |
2. = for conj. 2 (= L. nam, enim).
| a 1300 Cursor M. 15242 Drinckes all o þis he said For-qui it es mi blod. 1388 Wyclif Gen. iii. 5 For whi [Vulg. enim] God woot that, in what euere dai ȝe schulen ete therof [etc.]. c 1449 Pecock Repr. iv. iv. 445 Forwhi whi schulde he thanne more correcte..than be correctid. 1460–70 Bk. Quintessence (1866) 18 Saturne þe planete..is enemye to al kynde. For why, euery snow [etc.] comeþ of him. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge i. 2607 Her merytes were..manyfest and playne For why by her merytes..Sygnes and myracles were shewed full playne. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks 618 A camell might well carrie one of them [fieldpieces]..for why, Solyman..had..brought no greater pieces of batterie with him. |