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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
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