wherwith

English

Adverb

wherwith (not comparable)

1. Obsolete form of wherewith.
   • c. 1630, John Milton, “The Passion”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC, page 16:

     Ere-while of Muſick, and Ethereal mirth,
     Wherwith the ſtage of Ayr and Earth did ring, […]

Middle English

Alternative forms

• wher-with, wherwyth, wherwiþ

Etymology

From wher +‎ with.

Adverb

wherwith

1. wherewith; by which, with which, through which
2. (in direct question) how, by what
   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Wyfe of Bathes Prologue”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, folio xxxvii, verso, column 2:

     Now wherwith ſhuld he pay his payëmet, / If he ne uſed his ſely inſtrument

     Now how should he make his payment / Unless he uses his silly instrument?

Conjunction

wherwith

1. whereupon
2. the means by which; the resources with which
   • 1387–1400, [Geoffrey] Chaucer, “Here Bygynneth the Book of the Tales of Caunt́burẏ”, in The Tales of Caunt́bury (Hengwrt Chaucer; Peniarth Manuscript 392D), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: National Library of Wales, published c. 1400–1410], →OCLC, folio 5, verso:

     On bookes and on lernynge he it [his gold] spente / And biſily gan for the soules preye / Of hem that yaf hym wher-with to scoleye

     He spent it [his gold] on books and learning / And prayed fervently for the souls / Of those who gave him the means to study

   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, folios xlvi, verso – xlvii, recto:

     And ſpecially abouen euery thyng / Exited he the people in hys prechyng / To trentals, and to yeuen for goddes ſake / wherwith men mightē holy houſes make

     And above all else / He moved the people, by his preaching / To sing trentals, and to give for God's sake / The resources with which people might make churches

Descendants

• English: wherewith