DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 why /ˈhwaɪ, ˈwaɪ/
 (ad.)為什?,為何原因,理由

 Why adv.
 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.
 Note: ☞ 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!”
 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.]
 ◄ ►

 why
      n : the cause or intention underlying an action or situation,
          especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores' [syn:
          wherefore]
      adv : question word; what is the reason (`how come' is a
            nonstandard variant); "why are you here?"; "how come he
            got an ice cream cone but I didn't?" [syn: how come]