The Collaborative International Dictionary
When \When\, adv. [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS. hw[ae]nne, hwanne, hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG. wanne, G. wann when, wenn if, when, Goth. hwan when, and to E. who. ????. See Who.]
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At what time; -- used interrogatively.
When shall these things be?
--Matt. xxiv. 3.Note: See the Note under What, pron., 1.
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At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or just after, the moment that; -- used relatively.
Kings may Take their advantage when and how they list.
--Daniel.Book lore ne'er served, when trial came, Nor gifts, when faith was dead.
--J. H. Newman. While; whereas; although; -- used in the manner of a conjunction to introduce a dependent adverbial sentence or clause, having a causal, conditional, or adversative relation to the principal proposition; as, he chose to turn highwayman when he might have continued an honest man; he removed the tree when it was the best in the grounds.
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Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun.
I was adopted heir by his consent; Since when, his oath is broke.
--Shak.Note: When was formerly used as an exclamation of surprise or impatience, like what!
Come hither; mend my ruff: Here, when! thou art such a tedious lady!
--J. Webster.When as, When that, at the time that; when. [Obs.]
When as sacred light began to dawn.
--Milton.When that mine eye is famished for a look.
--Shak.