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Origin and history of whenas

whenas(adv., conj.)

"at the time at which; in a case in which," early 15c., from when + as.

Entries linking to whenas

c. 1200, worn-down form of Old English alswa "quite so, wholly so," literally "all so" (see also), fully established by c. 1400. Equivalent to so; any distinction in use is purely idiomatic. Related to German als "as, than," from Middle High German also.

Phrase as well "just as much" is recorded from late 15c.; the phrase also can imply "as well as not," "as well as anything else." Phrase as if, in Kantian metaphysics (translating German als ob), introducing a supposition not to be taken literally, is from 1892; as an interjection of incredulity (as if!; i.e. "as if that really could happen") is attested from 1995. It duplicates Latin quasi. Phrase as it were "as if it were so" is attested from late 14c.

Middle English whanne, Old English hwænne, hwenne, hwonne, from Proto-Germanic *hwan- (source also of Old Saxon hwan, Old Frisian hwenne, Middle Dutch wan, Old High German hwanne, German wann "when," wenn "if, whenever"), from pronominal stem *hwa-, from PIE root *kwo-, stem of relative and interrogative pronouns.

Equivalent to Latin quom, cum. As a conjunction in late Old English, "at the time that; at the same time that." Interrogatory use, "at what time?" is by early 13c. Non-temporal use, "in which case," is by early 15c. Say when "tell me when to stop pouring this drink" is from 1889.

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