As interrog. adv. in direct questions, sometimes with the rhetorical effect of implying a contrary statement or negative assertion: (a) why?, why on earth?; ~ (a) devel, why the devil?; (b) how?, in what way?; how on earth? [occas. difficult to distinguish from what pron.]; also in elliptical construction [1st quot., 2nd occurrence]; ~ devel (of helle, how the devil?

As an emphatic adv. introducing exclamations: to what an extent or degree, how, ah but.

As coordinating conj. in correl. constructions joining syntactically parallel elements: (a) in correlation with itself: ~…~, ~…and…~, both…and, either…or, whether…or; also joining loosely parallel elements [quot. c1390]; (b) in correlation with and conj.: ~…and (also, both…and, either…or.

As coordinating conj. or introductory adv. preceding a single prep. in correlation with and conj. or or conj. joining coordinated elements: ~ bi…or, by either…or; whether by…or by; ~ for (of, thurgh, with)…and, what for (of, through, etc.)…and, both for (of, etc.)…and.

As introductory adv. in collocation with a single prep. deriving from sense 3a. or 3b.: ~ for, on account of, because of.

As subordinating conj. introducing adv. clauses of time: (a) in or at the time that, when; also, while [1st quot.]; also as gloss for L tum [quot. a1500 Add.37075 Gloss]; (b) until; also as conjunctive particle in comb. with til conj. [quot. c1330, 1st]; al ~ [see al-what conj.].

As subordinating conj. introducing an adv. clause of result: so that.

As subordinating conj. with generalizing force introducing adv. clauses of manner: in whatever way; to whatever degree, to whatever extent.

As subordinating conj. introducing noun clauses: (a) functioning as direct obj.: how, in what way; also in impv. constructions, with rhetorical emphasis: lo (loketh) ~, see how little; (b) standing alone as a heading: how, in what way, ?for what purpose.

As prep.: until; al ~, until (nighttime); ?all through (the night); in conjunctive phrase: al ~ thanne that, until such time as.