wherefore

Meanings

Adverb

• Why, for what reason, because of what.
• Therefore.

Noun

• An intent or purpose; a why.

Origin

• From Middle English wherfor, wherfore, hwarfore, equivalent to where- + for. Compare Dutch waarvoor ("what for, wherefore"), German wofür ("for what, what for, why"), Danish and Norwegian hvorfor ("wherefore, why"), Swedish varför ("wherefore, why"). More at where, for.