whider

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English hwider, alteration of hwæder, from Proto-Germanic *hwadrê.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhwidər/

Adverb

whider

1. whither
   • 1387–1400, [Geoffrey] Chaucer, “The Squiers Tale”, in The Tales of Caunt́bury (Hengwrt Chaucer; Peniarth Manuscript 392D), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: National Library of Wales, published [c. 1400–1410], →OCLC, folio 133, verso:

     Thiſe olde wommen / þ^t been gladlẏ wẏſe
     As is hir maẏſtreſſe . anſwerde hir anon
     And seẏde madame / whider wolde ẏe gon
     Thus erly / for the folk been alle on reste

     These old women are, hapilly, as wise as their mistress, who now answered her, saying "Madame, whither are you going so early in the morning, while everyone is at rest?

Derived terms

• whiderward

Descendants

• English: whither (archaic)
• Yola: fidi, vidy, vidie

References

• “whider, adv. & conj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.