See Also: capite(dictionary)
in capite(dictionary)
CAPITE, descents(law)

why (iou) and capite (iou)


why (iou)



why adverb, conjunction, noun, interjection, & verb.

A. adverb.
I. interrog.
For what reason; from what cause or motive; for what purpose. OE.
R. Lehmann It turned into a..celebration, I don't know why. Day Lewis Why didn't you stop him? I. Murdoch Why did you leave Russia? J. Kosinski Chance did not understand why she laughed. ellipt.: F. Hoyle Why the air of great solemnity?
Used with the negative form of the simple present tense in a direct question, to express a positive suggestion. M20.
Dodie Smith Why don't I drive you over to hear it?
II. rel. adverb & conjunction.
On account of which, because of which, for which. Chiefly after reason. ME.
R. Macaulay Both saw every reason why they should make a Success of life.
The reason for which. E17.
N. Coward Victor Do you love me? Amanda Of course, that's why I'm here. E. Bowen She had never cared..for London, which was why she'd put pressure on him to retire.
b. noun. Pl. whys.
A reason, a cause; an explanation. Now only with ref. to something specified, and with conscious allusion to the interrog. use. ME.
W. C. Williams She..had come up to find out the why of the festivities.
A question as to the reason for something; a problem, an enigma. M16.
H. Jacobson Who can explain the whys and wherefores of attraction between the sexes?
C. interjection.
Expr. of surprise, esp. surprised discovery or recognition. E16.
G. Vidal 'Do you play bridge?' 'Why yes,' said Philip. L. Garfield 'Why, it's charming, charming,' twittered Laughing Lady.
Emphasizing a following statement, expr. impatience, objection, or reflection. M16.
W. Golding If he had more savage wishes why they had been common enough in the world. B. Duffy Why, it would have been enough to unhinge anyone.
As an emphasized call or summons, expr. impatience. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16.
Phrases: know the reason why: see KNOW verb. why, so! arch. expr. content, acquiescence, or relief. why so? on what grounds? for what reason or purpose? See also FORWHY.
Comb.: whydunit colloq. [after WHODUNIT] a story, play, etc., about the detection of the motive for a crime etc.; whyever adverb (colloq.) (a) rel. for whatever reason; (b) interrog. (also as two words) used with emphatic force in place of why in a question implying perplexity or surprise; why-not (now rare or obsolete) (a) an argument which attempts to leave the opponent without a reply; (b) at a why-not, at an advantage.
D. verb intrans. Ask the question 'why?'; ask for an explanation. Chiefly as whying verbal noun. E20.
D. H. Lawrence Once you start whying, there's no end to it.
whyness noun that which causes a thing to be as it is; the essential reason for something: L19.

capite (iou)



capite noun. E17.
[Latin, abl. of caput head.]
Hist. In full tenure in capite. Tenure by which land was held immediately of the Crown.