whence Definition

whence (old use) (formal or literary)
adverb, conj

1. Used in questions, indirect questions and statements: from what place?; from which place.

Example: enquired whence they had come
2. Used especially in statements: from what cause or circumstance.

Example: can't explain whence the mistake arose
3. To the place from which.

Example: returned whence they had come

pronoun

1. Which place.

Example: the town from whence he came

Etymology: 13c as hwannes.