Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
wherwith. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
wherwith, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
wherwith in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
wherwith you have here. The definition of the word
wherwith will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
wherwith, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Adverb
wherwith (not comparable)
- Obsolete form of wherewith.
c. 1630, John Milton, “The Passion”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, , London: Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, , published 1646, →OCLC, page 16:Ere-while of Muſick, and Ethereal mirth,
Wherwith the ſtage of Ayr and Earth did ring, […]
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From wher + with.
Adverb
wherwith
- wherewith; by which, with which, through which
- (in direct question) how, by what
1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Wyfe of Bathes Prologue”, in The Canterbury Tales, ,
→OCLC; republished in [
William Thynne], editor,
The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, ,
:
[
Richard Grafton for]
Iohn Reynes ,
1542,
→OCLC,
folio xxxvii, verso, column 2:
Now wherwith ſhuld he pay his payëmet, / If he ne uſed his ſely inſtrument- Now how should he make his payment / Unless he uses his silly instrument?
Conjunction
wherwith
- whereupon
- the means by which; the resources with which
1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales, ,
→OCLC; republished in [
William Thynne], editor,
The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, ,
:
[
Richard Grafton for]
Iohn Reynes ,
1542,
→OCLC,
folios xlvi, verso – xlvii, recto:
And ſpecially abouen euery thyng / Exited he the people in hys prechyng / To trentals, and to yeuen for goddes ſake / wherwith men mightē holy houſes make- And above all else / He moved the people, by his preaching / To sing trentals, and to give for God's sake / The resources with which people might make churches
Descendants