Middle English Dictionary Entry
which-ever pron.
Entry Info
Forms | which-ever pron. |
Etymology | From which pron. & ē̆ver adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) As indef. pron., referring to an abstraction: any one, any;
(b) as rel. pron. introducing restrictive adj. clauses: as direct obj., referring to persons: whom; also, referring to things: which, that [difficult to distinguish from (c)];
(c) as an independent relative with indefinite or generalizing force introducing noun clauses, with clause functioning either as subj. [quot. a1382, 2nd] or as an appositive to a noun in main clause and with pron. as subj. in its own clause: whichever ones, those who, anyone or everyone who [1st quot. could also be construed as (b)].
Associated quotations
a
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)112 : If into the same gouernance to be doon ben manye dyuerse weies and meenis…he…allowith which euer of thilk weies and meenis be take.
b
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.1.3 : Alle thingis which euere [WB(1): what euere; L quaecumque] he schal do schulen haue prosperite.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.85.9 : Alle folkis whiche euere [WB(1): what euere; L quascumque] thou madist schulen come and worschipe bifore thee.
c
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Kings 12.17 : Vp on þe sones forsoþe of israel, whiche euere [L quicumque] dwelledyn in þe cites of Juda, regnede roboam.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Par.11.16 : Of alle þe lynagis of israel, whiche euer [L quicumque] hadde ȝifen þer herte þat þei sechen þe lord god of israel camyn to Jerusalem.
- a1422 Gild St.Geo.Nrw.(Rwl D.913)445 : Oure gracious King hatȝ graunted…þat the bretheren and susteren…ȝerely chese on Alderman and Maistres, for to make and ordeyne honest and resonable ordinacions and constitucions, qwicheuer thinketh most best and expedient for gouernaunce of the Fraternite and Gylde.