whyadv.[OE. whi, why, AS. hw, hw, instrumental case of hw, hwt; akin to Icel. hv why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw. . See Who.]()1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; -- used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1.()Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezek. xxxiii. 11.)2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively.()No ground of enmity between us known
Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm. (Milton.)Turn the discourse; I have a reason why
I would not have you speak so tenderly. (Dryden.)3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; -- used as a compound relative.()()For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]()n. A young heifer.(Grose.) (Zol.) The whidah bird.()