wherefore

[ hwair-fawr, -fohr, wair- ]

adverb

1. Archaic. for what? why?
2. for that cause or reason:

   Wherefore let us be grateful.

noun

1. the cause or reason:

   to study the whys and wherefores of a situation.

wherefore

/ ˈwɛəˌfɔː /

noun

1. usually plural an explanation or reason (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores )

adverb

1. archaic.
   for what reason? why?

sentence connector

1. archaic.
   for which reason: used as an introductory word in legal preambles

Word History and Origins

Origin of wherefore¹

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; where, for

Idioms and Phrases

see whys and wherefores .

Synonym Study

See therefore.

Example Sentences

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for the brick wall.

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore I have also bared thy thighs against thy face, and thy shame hath appeared.

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore it was but natural that President Castle's experts found it impossible to strangle the bill in committee.

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore those men carefully watching him, found Daniel praying and making supplication to his God.

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore, Bud finally concluded that Foster was not above helping himself to family property.

From Project Gutenberg