The Collaborative International Dictionary
Whether \Wheth"er\, conj. In case; if; -- used to introduce the first or two or more alternative clauses, the other or others being connected by or, or by or whether. When the second of two alternatives is the simple negative of the first it is sometimes only indicated by the particle not or no after the correlative, and sometimes it is omitted entirely as being distinctly implied in the whether of the first.
And now who knows
But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?
--Shak.
You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest
judge.
--Shak.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether
we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live
therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
--Rom. xiv. 8.
But whether thus these things, or whether not;
Whether the sun, predominant in heaven,
Rise on the earth, or earth rise on the sun, . . .
Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid.
--Milton.
Whether or no, in either case; in any case; as, I will go whether or no.
Whether that, whether.
--Shak.
Usage examples of "whether or no".
After the butler had reported these marvelous passages to my lord and his family, the two bishops that were present, among other quality, were thereupon consulted, whether or no it was proper for the butler to follow the spirit's advice in taking the plantain juice for the cure of his fits, and whether he had done well or ill in refusing the liquid dose which the specter would have given him.
It could only be decided whether or no this Temple might continue to harbor the sisters.
It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom.
Come down now, that we may kill you quietly, and learn whether or no you are a brave man.
By his influence I had stayed a year longer than others of my age group, being, as I have said, perilously near to the time when I would have been forced to leave whether or no.
The son of Tydeus was in two minds whether or no to turn his horses round again and fight him.
As often as he would strive to stand his ground, and see whether or no all the gods in heaven were in league against him, so often would the mighty wave come beating down upon his shoulders, and be would have to keep flying on and on in great dismay.
And then I thought of Lily and wondered how her days passed, and if my brother Geoffrey persecuted her to marry him, and whether or no she would resist his importunities and her father's.
That was the question, and upon its answer it depended whether or no they had another three minutes to live.
If there hadn't been over-officiousness, it wouldn't have been made, and I hate over-officiousness at all times, whether or no.