wɔt adj., pron., & adv. --interrog.adj. 1 asking
for a
choice from an
indefinite number or for a
statement of
amount, number, or kind (what books
have you read?; what
news have you?). 2 colloq. =
WHICH interrog.adj. (what
book have you chosen?). --adj. (usu. in exclam.) how
great or
remarkable (what luck!). --rel.adj.
the or
any ...
that (will
give you what
help I can). --pron. (corresp. to the functions of the adj.) 1 what
thing or things? (what is
your name?; I don't
know what you mean). 2 (asking for a
remark to be repeated) = what
did you say? 3 asking for
confirmation or
agreement of
something not completely
understood (you did what?; what, you
really mean it?). 4 how
much (what you must have suffered!). 5 (as rel.pron.) that or
those which; a or the or any thing which (what followed
was worse; tell me what you think). --adv. to what
extent (what
does it matter?). øwhat
about what is the news or
position or your
opinion of (what about me?; what about a game of tennis?). what-d'you-call-it (or what's-its-name) a
substitute for a
name not recalled. what
ever what at
all or in any
way (what ever do you mean?) (see
also WHATEVER). what for colloq. 1 for what reason? 2 a
severe reprimand (esp. give a
person what for). what have you colloq. (prec. by or)
anything else similar. what if? 1 what
would result etc.
if. 2 what would it
matter if. what is
more and as an
additional point;
moreover. what next? colloq. what more
absurd,
shocking, or surprising thing is possible? what not (prec. by and)
other similar things. what of? what is the news concerning? what of it?
why should that be considered significant? what's-his (or -its) -name = what-d'you-call-it. what's what colloq. what is
useful or
important etc. what
with colloq.
because of (usu.
several things). [OE hwót f. Gmc]