Middle English Dictionary Entry
whō-ever pron.
Entry Info
| Forms | whō-ever pron. |
| Etymology | From whō pron. & ē̆ver adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
As interrog. pron. in rhetorical question, with emphatic effect, referring to a person and used as subj.: who in the world?, is there anyone who?
Associated quotations
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2229 : ‘Lo, sires,’ quod the lord…‘Who euere herde of swich a thyng er now?’
2.
As an independent relative with indefinite or generalizing force referring to a person or persons and used as subj., introducing noun clauses: (a) functioning as subj. or direct obj. in main or subordinate clause: anyone who, whoever;
(b) functioning as appositive to a pron. used as subj. in the main or an adjacent clause: anyone who, those who, whoever; also with impv. verb and omission of subj. in adjacent clause [quot. a1425];
(c) functioning as an appositive to a pron. used as obj. of prep. in main clause: the person who, if anyone, whoever; also functioning in loose relationship to a pron. in the genitive in main clause.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)64/9 : To þis beest was grauntid to ȝeue a spirit of þe ymage of þe beest þat it speke, & to do who euere worschipiþ not þe ymage of þe beest be slayn.
- a1425 LOL (Wnds E.I.I)29/11 : Þe rule of Cristen religioun shineþ more openly in þis liif, which whoeuer wil may gete wiþouten symonye.
b
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.DD (Lamb 487)47 : Hwa efre þenne ilokie wel þene sunne dei…beo heo dal neominde of heofene riches blisse.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Esth.2.4 : Who euer among alle to þe eȝen of þe king shal plesen, she regne for vasthy.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.8.14 : Who euere ben lad by the spirit of God, thes ben the sones of God.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)171/11 : Whoeuere kepiþ al þe lawe, and he offendiþ in one, he is mad gulti in alle.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Josh.20.3 : Whoeuer sleeth vnwytyngli a man, fle to tho citees, that…he may ascape the ire of the neiȝbore.
- ?c1430(c1400) Rule & T.St.Francis(1) (Corp-C 296)45 : Who euere of freris…wilen goon among sarasyns & oþere vnbelefful, axe þei leue þerof of here mynystris prouyncyal.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)17/16 : Who euer fulfilliþ þe first of hem, whiche is hardir to fulfille þan þe tweien oþire, he schal fulfille þe ij oþire.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.12.32 : Who euere shal seie a word aȝeins mannys sone, it shal be forȝouen to hym.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mark 11.23 : Who euere seith to his hil, Take and sende in to the see…what euere he schal seye, be it madd, it schal be maad to him.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)344 : Whoever haþ more evidence, his part shulde sunner be supposid.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)1 Kings 11.7 : Who euer goith not out, and sueth not Saul and Samuel, so it schal be don to hise oxun.
3.
As an independent relative with generalizing force referring to a person or persons and used as subj., introducing adv. clauses with concessive force: no matter who, regardless of who, whoever; ~ that.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2689 : We schal ordeyn whan so vs list to mete, To sette a tyme, who-euer þat seye nay, Alweye be niȝt.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.4327 : Al þe tresour & riches of þe tovn þe toke anoon in to her pocessioun, Who euer grucche or be lef or lothe.