As an independent relative with indefinite or generalizing force referring to a thing, an abstraction, etc., introducing noun clauses: (a) usu. functioning as subj. or direct obj. in main clause, with rel. pron. as subj. or direct obj. in its own clause: whatever, anything that, everything that; also with clause functioning as obj. of prep. in main clause [quot. a1425(c1385)] or in heading [quot. a1450]; (b) functioning as an appositive to a pron. used as either the subj. or the direct obj. in main clause, freq. with conditional or concessive force: whatever, if anything; no matter what; also functioning as an appositive to ther adv. in combs. [quots. c1450 & c1475(a1400)]; (c) functioning as an appositive to an implied genitive in main clause: of anything that, of whatever.

As an independent relative with indefinite or generalizing force referring to a person, introducing a noun clause functioning as an appositive to a pron. used as subj. in main clause: whoever, no matter who.

As an independent relative with indefinite or generalizing force introducing adv. and adj. clauses, usu. with concessive force: (a) referring to a thing, an abstraction, etc.: whatever, no matter what; ~ hit (thei) be, of any sort whatsoever, no matter what or what kind it (they) may be; ~ falle (bitide, etc.), regardless of what happens, come what may; (b) referring to a person or God: whoever, no matter who, regardless of what sort of person; ~ that.