whichever, a. and pron.
(hwɪtʃˈɛvə(r))
[Orig. two words, which and ever adv. 8 e.]
1. As compound relative: Any or either (of a definite set of persons or things, expresssed or implied) that{ddd}; that one (or those) who or which (with implication that it is unknown or undetermined which). † Formerly also without restriction to a definite set: = whatever 2.
Often following, and in apposition with, a pair or set of alternatives connected by or; the construction is then app. identical with that in 2, but is really different, and distinguished by intonation.
| 1388 Wyclif Ps. i. 3 Alle thingis which euere [first vers. what euere] he schal do schulen haue prosperite. 1418 in Engl. Gilds 445 Þat the bretheren and susteren..ȝerely chese on Alderman and Maistres,..qwicheuer [hem] thinketh most best. c 1449 Pecock Repr. i. xix. 112 He..allowith which euer of thilk weies and meenis be take. 1754 in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874) 48 Upon their attaining their respective ages of eighteen years compleat or their being lawfully married whichever of these events should first happen. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T., Forester xi, At a walk, trot, or gallop, whichever you please. 1844 Alb. Smith Adv. Mr. Ledbury xlii, They were..permitted to go whichever way they chose. 1872 Black Adv. Phaeton x. 145 To dinner—or supper, whichever it ought to be called. 1880 Hardy Trumpet-Major I. ix. 178 Whichever of us she likes best, he shall take her home. 1911 Act 1 & 2 Geo. V c. 46 §16 (1) Copyright shall subsist during the life of the author who first dies and for a term of fifty years after his death, or during the life of the author who dies last, whichever period is the longer. 1919 G. B. Shaw Inca of Perusalem in Heartbreak House 205 The Inca is to come and look at me, and pick out whichever of his sons he thinks will suit. |
2. Introducing a qualifying dependent clause: Whether one or another (of a definite set); no matter which.
| 1690 Locke Hum. Und. ii. xvii. §3 Which-ever [ed. 1714 Whichsoever] of these he takes, and how often soever he doubles..it, he finds [etc.]. 1704 Swift Batt. Bks. Misc. (1711) 226 Both Sides hang out their Trophies too, which ever comes by the worst. 1769 Junius Lett. xxiii. (1788) 135 Whichever way he flies, the Hue and Cry of the country pursues him. 1847 De Quincey Joan of Arc Wks. 1890 V. 390 On whichever side of the border chance had thrown Joanna, the same love to France would have been nurtured. 1856 Merivale Rom. Emp. xlii. V. 29 To whichever of the two camps..he should repair, his own jealous nature feared to awaken the jealousy of the other. 1882 Besant All Sorts xxviii, In politics you are used as the counters of a game... You get nothing, whichever side is in. |