which

Meanings

1. 1
   conj

   And.

   They only offered me five dollars, which I wouldn’t do it for less than fifteen.

2. 2
   det

   What, of those mentioned or implied.

   Which song shall we play?

3. 3
   det

   The/Any ... that; whichever.

   Take which one you want.

4. 4
   det

   Designates the one(s) previously mentioned.

   After glaring upon the smoking philosopher, who took his misfortunes with such positive nonchalance, he growled out an oath in German, which language is particularly adapted for growling in; then, raising his hand, he dealt him a blow on his pipe, which sent it, like a rocket, into the midst of the players.

5. 5
   pron

   What one or ones (of those mentioned or implied).

   Which is which?

6. 6
   pron

   The/Any ones that; whichever.

   Please take which you please.

7. 7
   pron

   In a non-restrictive relative clause, referring to something previously mentioned.

   I dropped a saucepan, which knocked over the eggs, which went all over the kitchen floor.

8. 8
   pron

   In a restrictive relative clause, referring to a noun previously mentioned.

   This is the letter which I received.

Etymology

From Middle English which, hwic, wilche, hwilch, whilk, hwilc, from Old English hwelċ (“which”), from Proto-Germanic *hwilīkaz (“what kind”, literally “like what”), derived from *hwaz. By surface analysis, who + like. Cognates include Scots whilk (“which”), West Frisian hokker (“which”), Dutch welk (“which”), Low German welk (“which”), German welcher (“which”), Danish hvilken (“which”), Swedish vilken (“which”), Norwegian hvilken (“which”), Icelandic hvílíkur (“which”).