forwhy

forwhy

English

Etymology

From Middle English forwhy, forwhi, from Old English forhwī, forhwȳ (“why, wherefore”). Equivalent to for +‎ why.

Conjunction

forwhy

1. (obsolete) Because; for the reason that.
   • 1596, Spenser, Edmund, The Faerie Queene, IV.12:

     Then did he cast to steale her thence away, / And with him beare where none of her might know: / But all in vaine, for-why he found no way / To enter in […]

   • 1863 February 22, Lear, Edward, Letter from Edward Lear to Fortescue:

     But of the day—and of the weeks bygone, and of many other things—this deponent saith nil, whereby and forwhy he is going to bed.

Synonyms

• as, given that, since; see also Thesaurus:because

Anagrams

• whyfor

---

Middle English

Adverb

forwhy

1. for what reason, for what cause, why; the reason why, for the reason that
   • c. 1382 (date written)​, Geffray Chaucer [i.e., Geoffrey Chaucer], “Boetius de consolatione Philosophie”, in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London: […] Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], published 1542, OCLC 932884868:

     Forwhy? Yif thou enforcest thee to assemble money, thow must byreven him his money that hath it.

2. on account of which
   • a. 1250, unknown author, Floris and Blancheflour

     I ne finde no3t atte frume Þat þing for whi ihc am hider icume.

3. inasmuch as, since, for
   • c. 1380s, [Geoffrey Chaucer; William Caxton, editor], The Double Sorow of Troylus to Telle Kyng Pryamus Sone of Troye [...] [Troilus and Criseyde], [Westminster]: Explicit per Caxton, published 1482, OCLC 863541017; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], (please specify |book=I to V), [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, OCLC 932884868:

     That ye to him of hard now been ywonne Oughte he be glad..Forwhi men seith, "impressiounes light Ful lightly been ay redy to the flight."

4. for which reason, wherefore, therefore
   • c. 1380s, [Geoffrey Chaucer; William Caxton, editor], The Double Sorow of Troylus to Telle Kyng Pryamus Sone of Troye [...] [Troilus and Criseyde], [Westminster]: Explicit per Caxton, published 1482, OCLC 863541017; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], (please specify |book=I to V), [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, OCLC 932884868:

     Me nedeth here noon other art to use; Forwhi to every lovere I me excuse, ...

5. in order that, so that
   • 1470–1485 (date produced)​, Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], (please specify the book number), [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, OCLC 71490786; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, OCLC 890162034:

     In hyr hand A braunche newe, Forwhy that no man sholde her lette.

6. on the condition that, provided that, if
   • 1470–1485 (date produced)​, Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], (please specify the book number), [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, OCLC 71490786; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, OCLC 890162034:

     Thou shalt haue yiftis good, For-why þat thou wilte dwelle with me.