whereas English · revision 5420

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1350}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /weəˈræz/, /hweəˈræz/, US /werˈæz/, /hwerˈæz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[where]], in the sense “in which position or circumstances”, and [[as]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) In early use it was written separately.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Wherein, in which”: about 1350 in the OED, the mid-14th century in Etymonline, a use now obsolete or archaic.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==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.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Introducing a statement in contrast to what precedes, “while on the contrary”, is from 1535.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) As a noun, a statement introduced by whereas, the preamble of a formal document, it is from 1795.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1350 – wherein.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1424 – considering that.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1535 – while on the contrary.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1795 – noun, a preamble.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Conjunction===

+ # While on the other hand; in contrast to the fact that.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' Since, it being the case that, used at the start of formal documents.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An introductory statement in a formal document; a [[preamble]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[where]]

+ * [[whereby]]

+ * [[whereupon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}