whereas

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /weəˈræz/, /hweəˈræz/, US /werˈæz/, /hwerˈæz/^[1]

Etymology

It is a compound of where, in the sense “in which position or circumstances”, and as.^[2][3] In early use it was written separately.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

“Wherein, in which”: about 1350 in the OED, the mid-14th century in Etymonline, a use now obsolete or archaic.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

As a conjunction, “in consideration of the fact that”, it is from the early 15th century, 1424 in the OED, and was used in law by then.^[2][4] Introducing a statement in contrast to what precedes, “while on the contrary”, is from 1535.^[4][2] As a noun, a statement introduced by whereas, the preamble of a formal document, it is from 1795.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1350 – wherein.^[4]
• 1424 – considering that.^[4]
• 1535 – while on the contrary.^[4]
• 1795 – noun, a preamble.^[4]

Modern meaning

Conjunction

1. While on the other hand; in contrast to the fact that.
2. (law) Since, it being the case that, used at the start of formal documents.

Noun

1. An introductory statement in a formal document; a preamble.

Related words

• where
• whereby
• whereupon

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press