whence /ˈhwɛn(t)s, ˈwɛn(t)s/
 來處;根源;由來


 Whence adv.
 1. From what place; hence, from what or which source, origin, antecedent, premise, or the like; how; -- used interrogatively.
    Whence hath this man this wisdom?   --Matt. xiii. 54.
    Whence and what art thou?   --Milton.
 2. From what or which place, source, material, cause, etc.; the place, source, etc., from which; -- used relatively.
 Grateful to acknowledge whence his good
 Descends.   --Milton.
 Note: ☞ All the words of this class, whence, where, whither, whereabouts, etc., are occasionally used as pronouns by a harsh construction.
    O, how unlike the place from whence they fell?   --Milton.
 Note: ☞ From whence, though a pleonasm, is fully authorized by the use of good writers.
    From whence come wars and fightings among you?   --James iv. 1.
 Of whence, also a pleonasm, has become obsolete.

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 whence
      adv : from what place or origin or source; "whence did he come?";
            "whence comes this splendid feast?"; "sketches the
            lawless society whence the ballads sprang"-DeLancey
            Ferguson [syn: wherefrom]