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]