Why

Why (?), adv. [OE. whi, why, AS. hwī, hw?, instrumental case of hwā, hwæt; akin to Icel. hvī why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw?. ?. See Who.]

1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; -- used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1.

Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively.

No ground of enmity between us known
Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm.

Milton.

Turn the discourse; I have a reason why
I would not have you speak so tenderly.

Dryden.

3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; -- used as a compound relative.

☞ Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. "Why, Jessica!" Shak.

If her chill heart I can not move,
Why, I'll enjoy the very love.

Cowley.

Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun.

The how and the why and the where.

Goldsmith.

For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]

Why, n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.