When (?), adv. [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS. hwænne, hwanne, hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG. wanne, G. wann when, wenn if, when, Goth. hwan when, and to E. who. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;. 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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&hand_; 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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&hand_; 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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