dictionary definitions for "when"


From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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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     1. At what time; -- used interrogatively.
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              When shall these things be?           --Matt. xxiv.
                                                    3.
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     Note: See the Note under What, pron., 1.
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     2. At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or
        just after, the moment that; -- used relatively.
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              Kings may
              Take their advantage when and how they list.
                                                    --Daniel.
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              Book lore ne'er served, when trial came,
              Nor gifts, when faith was dead.       --J. H.
                                                    Newman.
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     3. 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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     4. Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun.
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              I was adopted heir by his consent;
              Since when, his oath is broke.        --Shak.
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     Note: When was formerly used as an exclamation of surprise or
           impatience, like what!
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                 Come hither; mend my ruff:
                 Here, when! thou art such a tedious lady! --J.
                                                    Webster.
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     When as, When that, at the time that; when. [Obs.]
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              When as sacred light began to dawn.   --Milton.
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              When that mine eye is famished for a look. --Shak.
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