why

why
I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwȳ, instrumental case of hwæt what — more at what Date: before 12th century for what cause, reason, or purpose <
why did you do it?
>
II. conjunction Date: before 12th century 1. the cause, reason, or purpose for which <
know why you did it
>
<
that is why you did it
>
2. for which ; on account of which <
know the reason why you did it
>
III. noun (plural whys) Date: 13th century 1. reason, cause <
wants to know the whys and wherefores
>
2. a baffling problem ; enigma IV. interjection Date: 1519 — used to express mild surprise, hesitation, approval, disapproval, or impatience <
why, here's what I was looking for
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Why — may refer to:* Why (board game), a game based on the television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents * Why, Arizona, U.S. * Why?, one of the Five Ws, questions used in journalism * Why the lucky stiff, a computer programmer and artistMusicArtists*… …   Wikipedia

  • Why — Why, adv. [OE. whi, why, AS. hw[=i], hw?, instrumental case of hw[=a], hw[ae]t; akin to Icel. hv[=i] why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw?. ?. See {Who}.] [1913 Webster] 1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; used… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Why? — Why Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • why — [hwī, wī] adv. [ME hwi < OE, instrumental case of hwæt, WHAT] for what reason, cause, or purpose? with what motive?: used in direct, indirect, and implied questions [why did he go? he told her why he went] conj. 1. because of which; on account …   English World dictionary

  • Why Me — may refer to:* Why Me, a 1973 song by Kris Kristofferson * Why Me, a 1979 song by Styx * Why Me, a 1983 song by Planet P Project * Why Me?, a 1992 Eurovision song …   Wikipedia

  • why — why·ev·er; why·for; why·dunit; for·why; why; …   English syllables

  • why me? — spoken phrase used when you cannot understand why you have been chosen to do something difficult or why something bad has happened to you Somebody had to take the blame, but why me? Thesaurus: ways of saying that you do not know or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Why Go — «Why Go» Canción de Pearl Jam Álbum Ten Publicación 1991 Grabación 1991 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Why Me? — Chanson par Linda Martin Pays  Irlande Sortie 1992 Durée …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Why? — bei einem Auftritt in Columbus (Ohio) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Why — Why, n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] Grose. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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