why

adv. [ OE. whi, why, AS. hwī, hw&unr_;, instrumental case of hwā, hwæt; akin to Icel. hvī why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw&unr_;. &unr_;. See Who. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; -- used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezek. xxxiii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively. [ 1913 Webster ]

No ground of enmity between us known
Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Turn the discourse; I have a reason why
I would not have you speak so tenderly. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; -- used as a compound relative. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. “Why, Jessica!” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] If her chill heart I can not move,
Why, I'll enjoy the very love. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ] Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun. [ 1913 Webster ] The how and the why and the where. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [ Obs. or Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]