| 释义 |
whetherpron.adj.n.conj. Etymology: Old English hwæþer and hweþer , corresponding to Old Frisian hwed(d)er , h(w)oder , ho(e)r (North Frisian wader ), Old Saxon hweðar one of two, whether, Old High German hwedar , wedar which of two, neuter whether, either, (Middle High German weder , surviving in German weder neither), Old Norse hvaðarr , nominative plural hvárer (whence singular hvárr ), which of two, each, neuter whether (Swedish hvar each, modern Icelandic hvorr ), Gothic hwaþar which of two < Old Germanic *χwaþaraz , *χwe- , < χwa- , χwe- who pron. and n. + comparative suffix (Indo-European -tero- ) as in other adj., pron., n., and adv.2 (compare Sanskrit katará- , Greek πότερος , Lithuanian katràs ). Either (Old English ǽghwæþer ) is a compound of whether . With forms of the γ-type compare Old High German diu hwiduru , thoh-widaro though-whether adv., early modern German wider neither; with forms of the δ-type Old Frisian hwoder; and with forms of the ε-type Old Frisian hoer, hor (but in Middle English northern texts hwor may represent Old Norse hvárr).With sense 5 compare also Middle English ywhether (see y- prefix).c1400 26 Pol. Poems 113 Ywhether þou art alone, withoute mene? Signification. I. pron.adj. Which of the two. Obsolete, archaic, or dialect. Occasionally used loosely of more than two: cf. either pron. 6 The pron. is occasionally found with the gen. inflexion -es, -s. 1. In direct questions. c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) xxi. 31 Hwæðer þara twegra dyde þæs fæder willan? ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 268 Of twa men hweðer is wisere. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 209 Hweðeres fere wultþu beon. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 14045 Queþer o þir tua aght luue him mare? c1400 3477 And whether schulde Mayster be, Thei of Grece or Troye Cite? 1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in 163/2 Whether of them would ye beleue best? 1583 P. Stubbes sig. K6 There is both a reading and a preaching ministerie, whether doe you prefer before the other? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. v. 22 Whether doest thou professe thy selfe, a knaue or a foole? View more context for this quotation 1662 H. More (1712) ii. xi. §13 78 Whether of them, think you, is the plainer pledge of a knowing and a designing Providence? 1753 S. Richardson II. v. 71 Perturbations delightful, or undelightful, Harriet, whether? 1872 Ld. Tennyson 23 Whether would ye? gold or field? 1629 J. Gaule 115 We know which Sex Fell first; whether can boast of more honour in the Recouerie? 1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus 524 Whether thing is heavier water or wine? 2. In indirect questions, or subordinate clauses of similar meaning. (Cf. note s.v. what pron. I. **.) c1000 Ælfric I. 256 Gif man openað deaddra manna byrgynu, nast ðu hwæðer beoð þæs rican mannes ban, hwæðer þæs ðearfan. c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in (1885) 8 303 Cweð hwæðer þe selre þince. c1200 (Trin. Coll. MS.) 240 Niten hweðer hem doð wers. 1297 (Rolls) 2564 Me nuste to weþer hii bicome þe children þat hii bere. 1357 (L.) 970 Ilke man þat haþ resun wot wheþer ys better to chese. 1424 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) I. 35 Þe processe is..retournable at þe oeptes or þe quinzisme, I not qwether. 1470–85 T. Malory vii. xvii. 238 There was none that beheld them myghte knowe whether was lyke to wynne the bataill. a1568 R. Ascham (1570) i. f. 28 Now new, now olde, now both, now neither, To serue the worldes course, they care not with whether. 1613 T. Jackson i. ii. x. §3 They did not rightly apprehend the manner of the worlds destruction by them, nor whethers course was first passed. a1640 P. Massinger (1976) i. b. 31 I am trobled With the tooth ach, or with loue, I know not whether. 1726 J. Swift I. ii. i. 5 We came in full View of a great Island or Continent, (for we knew not whether). a1794 W. Jones in S. Parr (1828) VII. 210 It is indifferent to me, as a friend to the people, whether of the two sit in Parliament. 1852 F. W. Robertson (1857) 3rd Ser. xii. 172 The question..whether of the two sections held the abstract right. the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [adjective] > stating or offering two choices > which of two c893 tr. Orosius iii. i. §6 Þæt is mid Crecum þeaw þæt mid ðæm worde bið gecyþed hwæðer healf hæfð þonne sige. 1297 (Rolls) 773 He nuste to ȝweþer doȝter betere truste þo. 1390 J. Gower I. 217 Whan the fader..sih to whether side it drowh. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 405 The manifestacion of a notable signe wheder parte awe to be folowede. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas ii. i. 293 What children there [i.e. in Eden] they earned, and how many, Of whether sex. 1614 J. Day 218 A controversie there is which they are that are in whither Table. 1656 J. Bramhall i. 43 Whether the separation be criminous, whether party made the first separation,..whether side gave the cause,..is not so easy to be discerned. 1690 T. Burnet 46 You know in whether Scale the Natural Reasons are to be laid. 1702 H. Dodwell Apol. in S. Parker tr. Cicero sig. a7 The Dispute..whether Life is the more to be preferred, the Active, or the Contemplative. 1303 R. Mannyng 3447 Þan wete men neuer, wheþer ys wheþer. a1400 (a1325) (Fairf. 14) l. 9290 Wele salle he knaw queþer is quilk. 1596 E. Spenser iv. ix. sig. Iv She vneath discerned, whether whether weare. View more context for this quotation 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) (at cited word) I cannot tell whether is whether. 3. In generalized or indefinite sense: Whichever of the two: ( a) as nominal relative, the implied antecedent belonging to the principal clause; ( b) introducing a qualifying clause: No matter which of the two. (a) c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 11774 Whaðer unkere swa beoð þere wakere sone he bið þe laðere. 1297 (Rolls) 7967 Hii acordede..Þat weþer of hom tueye lengore aliue were Þat he ssolde be oþeres eir. c1386 G. Chaucer 371 Now chese your seluen wheither þat yow liketh. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 7463 And queþer may oþer ouercome in feild, þe toþer folk all to him helde. c1430 33 Serue it forth for a potage, or for a gode Bakyn mete, wheder þat þou wolt. 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More sig. Eviiv To kepe still the one of this .ii. kingdomes, whether he would. 1611 Ecclus. xv. 17 Before man is life and death, and whether him liketh shalbe giuen him. View more context for this quotation 1663 in J. A. Picton (1883) I. 333 You are to prsent noe..p'son both for lands and goods, but for whethr you estimate to be of the better value. 1692 R. Bentley v. 29 Let them take whether they will. 1752 E. Moxon (new ed.) 138 Put it into your sillabub-glasses or pots, whether you have. c1380 J. Wyclif II. 404 Wheþer pope men nennen, þei bileven not þat he is Cristis viker. c1430 32 Bothe ȝonge & oolde, wheþir ȝe be, in cristis name good cheer ȝe make. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xlviii Nowe thou art at thy lyberte, to chose whyder way thou wylt. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy v. i. 179 It seemed, whether part were vanquished, should come to finall destruction. 1654 T. Gataker 15 But cal the day by which, or whether term of them you please. 1671 J. Webster i. 3 Whether way soever it be taken, it is apparent [etc.]. II. conj. 4. c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) xxi. 25 Hwæðer wæs iohannes fulluht, þe of heofonum, þe of mannum? c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) v. 23 Hwæðer is eðre to cweþenne, þe synd þine synna forgyfene; hwæþer þe cweþan, aris & ga? c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxvii. 17 Whom wole ȝee, I leeue, or delyuere, to ȝou? wher Barabas, or Jhesu, that is seid Crist? a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 12292 Leif sun, me sai, Queþer þou put barn or nai? c1400 (1859) i. xxx. 34 Whether shal the lord refuse this seruaunt either els he shal receyue hym? 1535 D. Lindsay 2255 Sir, quhidder is ȝour pardon black, or blew? 1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine x. xxvi. 394 Whether would hee haue vs subiect to those Angels that declare the will of the Father vpon earth, or vnto him whose wil they declare. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 134 Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge,..Or the reputed sonne of Cordelion? View more context for this quotation 1713 G. Berkeley i. 5 Whether does Doubting consist in embracing the Affirmative or Negative Side of a Question? a1822 P. B. Shelley Ion in (1888) II. 115 Whether do you demonstrate these things better in Homer or Hesiod? c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 203 Wheþer hade he no helme ne hawb[e]rgh nauþer,..Ne no schafte, ne no schelde,..Bot in his on honde he hade a holyn bobbe. 1599 W. Shakespeare et al. (new ed.) sig. B Was this a louer, or a Letcher whether? 1608 Bp. J. Hall 5 The Sect (or order whether) of the Phariseis ceassed with the Temple. c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) xx. 15 Hwæþer þe þin eage manful ys, forþam þe ic god eom? 13.. 102 Eche loked on ouþer..And seyd, ‘lorde wheþer hyt be y?’ c1300 (Laud) (1868) 292 Godrich..seyde, ‘Hweþer she sholde be Quen and leuedi ouer me?’ c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xiii. 55 Wher is nat this the sone of a smyth, or carpenter? Wher his modir be nat seid Marie? a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 5178 Lauerd! quer i sal him euer se? c1420 1213 Wher þe holy gost wolnot as gladlyche wone Vnder a mantyl y-furned wt beuer..As vnder a mantyl y-furned wt a row gotus felle? 1483 415/2 Whedirnot, eciam, numquid, nonne. 1549 H. Latimer sig. Diiv Whither wyl he alowe a subiect to much?.. Whether haue any man heare in England to muche? 1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius 67 Quhat is Baptisme? and quhidder it be necessare to all mankynd? the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > expressing choice [conjunction] the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choice [conjunction] > which of two c1000 Ælfric II. 120 Eft ða Gregorius befran, hwæðer þæs landes folc cristen wære ðe hæðen. a1225 2312 Loke nu..hweðer þe beo leouere don þat ich þe leare..oðer þis ilke dei..deien. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 455 Þer wes moni riche mon þe cuðe lutel reden. weðer [c1300 Otho waþer] heom weore wnsumre to faren þe to wonien. 1297 (Rolls) 4507 In woch half turne he nuste þo weþer est þe west. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3272 Egipcienes woren in twired wen, Queðer he sulden folgen or flen. 1377 W. Langland B. xii. 268 And where he be sauf or nouȝt sauf þe sothe wote no clergye. c1385 G. Chaucer Prol. 499 [487] ‘Wostow’ quod he ‘wher this be wif or maide?’ a1400 [see ε. forms]. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 4918 Now wel is sene Queþer þat yee be fule or clene. 1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. iii. 4866 She lokkid hym vnder swiche a keye, Þat he wot nat wher to lyue or deye. 1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes ii, in 177/2 There was principally in question whither woorshyppyng of ymages..were lawfull or not. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius (1858) II. 172 The Scottis than weill wist nocht in that caice, Quhidder to byde or follow on the chace. 1580 J. Lyly (new ed.) f. 100v If I shoulde aske you whether in the making of a good sworde, yron were more to be required or steele. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 124 Whether this be, Or be not, I'le not sweare. View more context for this quotation a1657 W. Burton (1658) 102 There remain yet two doubts: First: whether this Prætenture, or Wall, was made of Stone, or of Turfs. 1707 J. Mortimer (1721) I. 63 He does not remember whether every Grain came up or not. 1819 P. B. Shelley 20 July (1964) II. 102 I am exceedingly interested in the question of whether this attempt of mine will succeed or no. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. iv. 464 His neighbours might well doubt whether it were more dangerous to be at war or at peace with him. 1872 J. Morley i. 3 More than two generations..had almost ceased to care whether there be any moral order or not. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > on condition that [conjunction] > whether c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) xxvi. 25 Cwyst þu, lareow, hwæðer ic hyt si? c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) xxvii. 49 Utun geseon hwæþer helias cume & wylle hyne alysan. a1023 Wulfstan xlvi. 233 Ðonne se ðe oðerne tælan wille, þonne..beþence [he] hine sylfne..hwæðer hine ne mæge ænig man getælan. c1175 121 Lokiað hweðer enies monnes sar beo iliche mine sare. 1297 (Rolls) 6471 Me ne dar noȝt esse, weþer he were kene þo & prout. c1386 G. Chaucer 571 Wher me was wo, that is no question I kan nat make of it discripsion. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 13097 Yee ask him if he be þat gom þat for man sauuete suld com,..Or his word he send vs þan Queþer we sal bide a-noþer man? 1470–85 T. Malory vii. xx. 244 He mette with a poure man..& asked hym whether he mette not with a knyghte. ?1521 J. Fisher sig. Bi Se now here wheder chryst was not ye mouthe of Peter whan he promoted his cause. c1535 iii. sig. C.iii Eche man loke whether that I lye. 1597 R. Hooker v. lxxvii. 231 Some are doubtfull whether any man may seeke for it [sc. the ministry] without offence. 1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes xcvi, in I. 797 Who shall doubt, Donne, where I a Poet bee, When I dare send my Epigrammes to thee? 1676 J. Ray (1848) 122 Tell me whether any such bird be known to you. 1712 J. Addison No. 383. ¶1 A loud chearful Voice enquiring whether the Philosopher was at Home. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor iv, in 3rd Ser. III. 55 Uncertainty..whether her letter had been ever forwarded. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. iii. 390 Thither the Londoners flocked..to hear whether there was any news. 8. a1250 (Cotton MS.) 1360, 1362 Wummon mai pleie under cloþe Weþer [Jesus MS. hweþer] heo wile wel þe wroþe & heo mai do bi mine songe Hwaþer [Jesus MS. hweþer] heo wule wel þe wronge. c1380 J. Wyclif I. 321 Þat þis world is beterid bi everyþing þat falliþ þerinne, where þat it be good or yvel. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 10205 If þai ani child miht haue, Queþer þat it ware scho or he. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 6618 O þis watur he gert ilkan Drinc, quer he wald or [MS ar] nan. 1470–85 T. Malory ii. v. 81 Ye shal abyde whether ye will or nyll. 1600 W. Shakespeare iii. i. 145 Thou shalt remaine here, whether thou wilt or no. View more context for this quotation 1611 Rom. xiv. 8 Whether [ Tindale yf] we liue, we liue vnto the Lord: and whether [ Tindale yf] wee die, we die vnto the Lord; whether [so in Tindale] wee liue therefore or die, we are the Lords. View more context for this quotation 1678 S. Butler iii. ii. 103 For Loyalty is still the same, Whether it win or lose the Game. 1733 A. Pope ii. 12 Alike in Ignorance, his Reason such, Whether he thinks too little, or too much. 1796 C. Burney II. 389 Now I am forced to finish my letter, whether I will or no. 1818 S. T. Coleridge (new ed.) I. 335 That Reason which remains always one and the same, whether it speaks through this or that person. 1857 H. T. Buckle I. vii. 347 Whether it is fair, or whether it is wet, he pursues his labours with equal success. the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > contrariety [conjunction] > whether c12752 [see α. forms]. 1594 xxxiii. f. 32 But what to me? where false or true, Where liue or die, for aye Adue. 1605 Bp. J. Hall I. §10 So great distrust is there in man, whether from his impotence or faithlesnes. 1667 J. Milton iii. 523 The Stairs were then let down, whether to dare The Fiend by easie ascent, or aggravate His sad exclusion from the dores of Bliss. View more context for this quotation 1732 G. Berkeley II. vii. xi. 152 This I say, whether right or wrong. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. iii. 20 I knew he would act a good part whether he rose or fell. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. iv. 463 All other governments. whether republican or monarchical, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic. 1867 E. A. Freeman I. 627 William, whether by accident or by design, was not admitted. 1913 19 Feb. 8/1 The increase in the number of officials.., which should give pause to every man, whether Liberal or Tory. 9. whether or no ( no adv.1 4), less frequently not. 1650 R. Sanderson (1678) 93 The next enquiry must be, Whether or no the words of the Engagement will reasonably bear such a construction. a1657 W. Mure Hist. Rowallane in (1898) II. 240 Not verie certaine wheyr or not brethren yrof at one & the same time, do beare the armes of the paternall coat. 1711 J. Addison No. 92. ¶5 Whether or no they are real Husbands or personated ones I cannot tell. 1852 W. M. Thackeray I. ix. 220 What matters whether or no I make my way in life. 1871 J. Morley J. de Maistre in 174 As Protestants always ask of so much of Catholicism as they have dropped, whether or no it is true. 1665 R. Boyle Disc. ii. iv, in sig. C6 They..help to make the man good, whether or no they make his style be thought so. 1868 A. C. Swinburne 88 The shape or style of workmanship each artist is bound to look to, whether or no he may..trouble himself about the moral..bearings of his work. the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [adverb] > in any case the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > at all events, at any rate 1784 I. 182 Whether or no, this coat shall be my favourite coat. 1841 C. Dickens ii. lxviii. 191 Was it natural that at that instant, without any previous impulse or design, Kit should kiss Barbara? He did it, whether or no. 1873 J. Morley 79 You may say that this is to degrade the state. Possibly. But whether or no, this is the principle already..acted upon. 1904 S. J. Weyman xiii ‘God help us whether or no!’ the Vicomte answered in senile anger. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective] > in a state of uncertainty 1672 W. Walker 28 I am unresolved; I am whether for a penny. 11. as n., with plural whethers. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective] > in a state of uncertainty 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) (at cited word) ‘To be at whethers’, to be in a state of doubt or uncertainty. ‘I stend at whethers’. the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing between alternatives > a choice of alternatives > which of the two 1827 T. Hood 68 In weighing every why and whether. 1836 C. Dickens 1st Ser. II. 322 Whether she was engaged, whether she was pretty,..and many other whethers of equal importance. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online September 2021). † whetheradv.Etymology: Old English hwæþ(e)re , adverbial formation < hwæþer whether pron., adj., and conj. Obsolete. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > however, nevertheless, notwithstanding OE 555 Hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð, þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte, hildebille. c1000 II. 256 Ne sceal mon hwæþere þisne drincan sellan on foreweardne þone ece. a1175 225 He cweð þat him of-þuhte þat he efre mancinn ȝesceop þa wes hweðere an man richwis et-foran gode. 13.. S. Erkenwolde 153 in Horstm. (1881) 269 Queþer mony porer in þis place is putte into graue. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 4622 ‘Do queþer,’ he said, ‘þar-of na strijf.’ a1400–50 581 Queþer ȝit, for any quat a quyle latt him kepe. c1425 Wyntoun viii. xxviii. 4791 He said: ‘Na hast’; qwhedyr perfay His folk walde fayne haf beyn away. 12.. (Egerton MS.) 131 Þeh [v.r. þeih] hweðer we it iluuet wel. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 11009 Þair modres þo-queþer bath mild, Yoede at ans wit þair child. c1425 Wyntoun viii. xxxix. 6949 Þe qwheþir oft ryot walde þai ma To preik and poynde. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 332 The-quhether he glaid was and ioly. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > however, nevertheless, notwithstanding a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 715 in (2002) i. 323 The ouer bassyn þay halde neuer þe queder, Quylle þo keruer powre water in-to þe nedur. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > although a1400–50 2090 Quethire days thre þurȝe-out thraly we foȝten,..And ȝit þe lawest at þe last vs limpid to bee. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2020). <  pron.adj.n.conj.c893 adv.OE |
