\Whence\, adv. [OE. whennes, whens (with adverbial s,
properly a genitive ending; -- see {-wards}), also whenne,
whanene, AS. hwanan, hwanon, hwonan, hwanone; akin to D.
when. See {When}, and cf. {Hence}, {Thence}.]
1. From what place; hence, from what or which source, origin,
   antecedent, premise, or the like; how; -- used
   interrogatively.

         Whence hath this man this wisdom?     --Matt. xiii.
                                               54.

         Whence and what art thou?             --Milton.

2. From what or which place, source, material, cause, etc.;
   the place, source, etc., from which; -- used relatively.

         Grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends.
                                               --Milton.

Note: All the words of this class, whence, where, whither,
      whereabouts, etc., are occasionally used as pronouns by
      a harsh construction.

            O, how unlike the place from whence they fell?
                                               --Milton.

Note: From whence, though a pleonasm, is fully authorized by
      the use of good writers.

            From whence come wars and fightings among you?
                                               --James iv. 1.
      Of whence, also a pleonasm, has become obsolete.