whenas

[ wen-az, wuhn-, wen-, hwuhn- ]

conjunction

1. Archaic.
   1. when.
   2. inasmuch as.
2. Obsolete. whereas.

whenas

/ wɛnˈæz /

conjunction

1. archaic.
   1. when; whenever
   2. inasmuch as; while
2. obsolete.
   whereas; although

Word History and Origins

Origin of whenas¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; when, as ¹

Example Sentences

Straight she ran to see Who this man should be,90 That so like her love did speak; And found, whenas she came, Her lovely lord lay slain, Smeer'd in blood which life did break.

From Project Gutenberg

Which when her father proved,15 Lord, how he was moved And tormented in his mind; He sought for to prevent them, And to discontent them,— Fortune crosses lovers kind.20 Whenas these princely twain Were thus debarr'd of pleasure, Through the king's disdain, Which their joys withstood, The lady lockt up close25 Her jewels and her treasure, Having no remorse Of state or royal blood.

From Project Gutenberg

And each is a gallant heart and ready at honour's call, Yet I, when the foremost charge, am bravest of all the brave; But if they with hands outstretched are seizing the booty won, The slowest am I whenas most quick is the greedy knave.

From Project Gutenberg

O affluent Sun, unwilling to abate     Thy bounteous hospitality benign, Whenas we deemed the banquet o'er, thy great     Gold flagon brims again with amber wine; Whenas we thought t' have seen on plain and hill     Thy euthanasia in October's haze, The blessing of thy light, unstinted still,     Irradiates the drear November days.

From Project Gutenberg

So he traded prosperously and lived plenteously until he lost his companion, whenas God wrought his will in the wife who had been his fellow for thirty years.

From Project Gutenberg