英和和英

語源

From 中期英語 forwhy, forwhi, from 古期英語 forhwī, forhwȳ (“why, wherefore”). Equivalent to for +‎ why.

副詞

forwhy

1. for what reason, for what cause, why; the reason why, for the reason that
   • c. 1382 (date written)​, Geffray Chaucer [i.e., Geoffrey Chaucer], “Boetius de consolatione Philosophie”, in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London: […] Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], published 1542, →OCLC:

     Forwhy? Yif thou enforcest thee to assemble money, thow must byreven him his money that hath it.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. on account of which
   • a. 1250, unknown author, Floris and Blancheflour:

     Last I ne finde noȝt atte frume Þat þing for whi ihc am hider icume.

     Lest I not find at first that thing for why I am hither come.

3. inasmuch as, since, for
   • c. 1380s, [Geoffrey Chaucer, William Caxton, editor], The Double Sorow of Troylus to Telle Kyng Pryamus Sone of Troye [...] [Troilus and Criseyde], [Westminster]: Explicit per Caxton, published 1482, →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], (please specify |book=I to V), [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:

     That ye to him of hard now been ywonne Oughte he be glad..Forwhi men seith, "impressiounes light Ful lightly been ay redy to the flight."

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

4. for which reason, wherefore, therefore
   • c. 1380s, [Geoffrey Chaucer, William Caxton, editor], The Double Sorow of Troylus to Telle Kyng Pryamus Sone of Troye [...] [Troilus and Criseyde], [Westminster]: Explicit per Caxton, published 1482, →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], (please specify |book=I to V), [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:

     Me nedeth here noon other art to use; Forwhi to every lovere I me excuse, ...

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

5. in order that, so that
   • 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], (please specify the book number), [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:

     In hyr hand A braunche newe, Forwhy that no man sholde her lette.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

6. on the condition that, provided that, if
   • 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], (please specify the book number), [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:

     Thou shalt haue yiftis good, For-why þat thou wilte dwelle with me.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

副詞

for why (not comparable)

1. (nonstandard) For what reason; why.
   • 2017, Velvel Pasternak, Behind the Music, Stories, Anecdotes, Articles and Reflections, page 62:

     As she tied the boxes, her curiosity could no longer be contained. "Mister," she said, "for why do you need such hats?"