Where does whensoever come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

whensoever

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.22 in modern English

Syllables: when-so-ev-er
IPA

Scrabble Score

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Meaning

adv

whenever; at any time at all

Example Sentences

"Now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now."
"Again, whereas men affirm they perceive an addition of ponderosity in dead bodies, comparing them usually unto blocks and stones, whensoever they lift or carry them; this accessional preponderancy is rather in appearance than reality."
"But we mean whensoever her majesty or any other patron do present any person unto a benefice, that the person presented shall be tried and examined by the judgment of learned men of the church; […]"

Etymology

From Middle English quen-so-ever, wensoever, whanne so evere, whan-so-ever, whan-so-evere, whenne-soever, when so evyr. By surface analysis, when + so + ever.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: quen-so-ever

Inflected Forms

whensoëver (alternative, obsolete)

Phrases

1. Scottish2. from Middle English mid3. old dialectal form

Frequently Paired Words

whensomever — henceafter henceforth henceforward henceforwards hencefrom hereabout