Whensoever: meaning, definitions and examples
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whensoever
[ ˌhwɛnˈsoʊˌɛvər ]
time reference
Whensoever is an archaic term that means 'whenever' or 'at whatever time.' It implies that something will happen at any time or that the action of a statement is not limited to a specific moment.
Synonyms
at any time, that time, whenever.
Examples of usage
- Whensoever you choose to visit, I will be here.
- You may start the project whensoever you are ready.
- Whensoever it rains, I stay indoors.
Etymology
The term 'whensoever' combines the archaic term 'whensoever', which is a compound of 'when' and 'soever'. The 'so' in 'soever' is an old English word meaning 'ever' or 'at any time'. This type of construction is typical of Middle English, which used several compound words to create specific meanings. Whensoever was commonly used in literary contexts and formal writings, especially in the medieval and early modern periods. Its use has declined significantly in contemporary English, where 'whenever' serves the same purpose in a more modern context. As a result, whensoever is often found in legal texts, poetry, and historical writings, reflecting the elegant structure of earlier forms of English.