DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Why adv.
 1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; -- used interrogatively.  See the Note under What, pron., 1.
    Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?   --Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
 2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively.
 No ground of enmity between us known
 Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm.   --Milton.
 Turn the discourse; I have a reason why
 I would not have you speak so tenderly.   --Dryden.
 3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; -- used as a compound relative.
 Note: ☞ Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. “Why, Jessica!”
 If her chill heart I can not move,
 Why, I'll enjoy the very love.   --Cowley.
 Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun.
    The how and the why and the where.   --Goldsmith.
 For why, because; why.  See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]

 For conj.
 1. Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.
 And for of long that way had walkéd none,
 The vault was hid with plants and bushes hoar.   --Fairfax.
 And Heaven defend your good souls, that you think
 I will your serious and great business scant,
 For she with me.   --Shak.
 2. Since; because; introducing a reason of something before advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very general introduction to something suggested by what has gone before.
    Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.   --Ps. cxxxvi. 1.
 Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
 Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
 Did not go forth of us, 't were all alike
 As if we had them not.   --Shak.
 For because, because. [Obs.] “Nor for because they set less store by their own citizens.” --Robynson (More's Utopia).
 For why. (a) Why; for that reason; wherefore. [Obs.] (b) Because. [Obs.] See Forwhy.
 Syn: -- See Because.