WHETHER

Definition: WHETHER

WHETHER

Conjunction

1. In case; if; -- used to introduce the first or two or more alternative clauses, the other or others being connected by or, or by or whether. When the second of two alternatives is the simple negative of the first it is sometimes only indicated by the particle not or no after the correlative, and sometimes it is omitted entirely as being distinctly implied in the whether of the first.

Pronoun

1. Which (of two); which one (of two); -- used interrogatively and relatively.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Date "WHETHER" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1010. (references)

Tips from 1870

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Choice

Adverb: optionally; Adjective: at pleasure; (will); either the one or the other; or at the option of; whether or not; once and for all; for one's money.

Ignorance

See through a glass darkly; have a film over the eyes, have a glimmering; Noun: wonder whether; not know what to make of; (unintelligibility); not pretend to take upon, not take upon one self to say.

Supposition

Suggest itself; (thought); run in the head; (memory); marvel if, wonder if, wonder whether.

Uncertainty

Verb: be uncertain; Adjective: wonder whether.

Not know what to make of; (unintelligibility), not know which way to turn, not know whether one stands on one s head or one's heels; float in a sea of doubt,hesitate, flounder; lose oneself, lose one's head; muddle one's brains.

Wonder

Not be able to account for; (unintelligible); not know whether one stands on one's head or one's heels.

Crosswords: WHETHER

It depends whether your mission is peace or revenge (Tomorrow Never Dies; writing credit: Bruce Feirstein)

Some things are true whether you believe in them or not. (City of Angels; writing credit: Dana Stevens. Based on the screenplay for the 1997 film 'Der Himmel über Berlin')

Open war is upon you whether you risk it or not. (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers; writing credit: Frances Walsh)

There are ways of telling whether she is a witch (Monty Python and the Holy Grail; writing credit: Graham Chapman; John Cleese)

We're talking about whether any independent contractors working on the uncompleted death star were innocent victims when the rebels destroyed it. (Clerks.; writing credit: Kevin Smith)

Lovin' you whether, whether ("Let's Stay Together"; performing artist: Al Green)

‘Cause I love you, whether it’s wrong or right (If You're Not The One; performing artist: DANIEL BEDINGFIELD)

And I don't know whether to laugh or cry (She's Out of My Life; performing artist: Michael Jackson)

Whether yellow, black or white (Every Kinda People; performing artist: ROBERT PALMER)

But whether he heard, I'll never know ("Leader of the Pack"; performing artist: The Shangri-Las)

On with dance, let joy be unconfined, is my motto; whether there's any dance to dance or any joy to unconfined. (references; author: Mark Twain)

Don't throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water. (references; author: Swedish Proverb)

Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down or polishes you up, depends upon what you're made of. (references; author: unknown)

No one should live by the early bird policy without finding out whether he classifies as a bird or a worm. (references; author: unknown)

Whether Willed... (1989)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Books

• Can Your Relationship Be Saved?: How to Know Whether to Stay or Go (Rebuildingbooks) (reference)

• Coaching Mental Excellence: It Does Matter Whether You Win or Lose (reference)

• Funding Your Ministry: Whether You're Gifted or Not (reference)

• Lamar Alexander's Little Plaid Book: 311 Rules, Reminders, and Lessons About Running for Office and Making a Difference, Whether It's for President o (reference)

  (more book examples)

Theater & Movies

• Whether Lying in America is Pandemic (reference)

  (more DVD examples; more video examples)

Music

• Luxury or Whether It Is Better To Be Loved Than Feared (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

A scientist is screening a baboon virus and comparing it with HIV-I for similarities. Bacteriophage colonies are grown to determine whether there is a similarity in the two viruses and to discover the proper sequence of the AIDS virus. Credit: Bill Branson (photographer).

Shown is a culture dish containing frozen breast tissue. A technician's hands and test instruments are visible as well. This is used for analysis in estrogen receptor assay test. Results suggest whether removal of ovaries or use of antiestrogen drugs are likely to be effective. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

Fred Walton proving that it's optional whether to walk upside-down or right-side up at the South Pole. Just kidding!. Credit: Paths Less Taken - NOAA at the Ends of the Earth.

Figure 63. Van Dorn bottle created by Dr. William G. Van Dorn in 1956. It is questionable whether this should be considered a "modern" instrument given its materials of construction. However, on second thought, it is very similar to modern valve-closing bottles. Left: descending. Right: ascending. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Figure 17. Negretti and Zambra thermometers, 1926 models. These instruments are very similar to thermometers produced by Richter and Wiese in 1925 for the German METEOR expedition. Whether developed independently or copied, they are the same in all details. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Figure 20. Dumaige thermometer constructed by Paul Dumaige who was a long-time collaborator with the Prince of Monaco. Duimage was known for having constructe d the closing mechanism for a plankton net used by Albert I. It is not known whether this instrument was a copy of an existing instruments or if it was made to improve certain shortcomings. Two of them were used in 1892 at 4808 meters. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Crop consultant draws a soil sample early in the crop year to test nitrogen availability in the soil. This late spring nitrogen test is meant to decide whether and how much nitrogen the growing crop needs for optimum production; only the amount of nitroge. Credit: Lynn Betts.

Corn stalks are tested for nitrogen content as part of a year-long testing cycle to determine whether the optimum amounts of nitrogen are being applied to the land for growing corn, without over-applying to pollute water supplies. Credit: Lynn Betts.

ARS technician Chester Sarreal separates alfalfa seeds by color and shape to determine whether certain seed characteristics are correlated with higher bacterial contamination levels. P. Credit: USDA ARS News; photo by Scott Bauer..

Stomach tissue from a sheep is placed between halves of a glass parabiotic chamber. Alkaloids are added to one side of the tissue to see whether they are transported through the tissue to the other side. P. Credit: USDA ARS News; photo by Scott Bauer..

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Let there be one measure of wine throughout our whole realm; and one measure of ale; and one measure of corn, to wit, "the London quarter"; and one width of cloth (whether dyed, or russet, or "halberget"), to wit, two ells within the selvedges; of weights also let it be as of measures. (reference)

This holds in all the laws a man is under, whether natural or civil. (Second Treatise of Government)

This, then, is a plain case for a mandamus, either to deliver the commission, or a copy of it from the record; and it only remains to be enquired, Whether it can issue from this court. (reference)

Nay more, in proportion as the use of machinery and division of labour increases, in the same proportion the burden of toil also increases, whether by prolongation of the working hours, by increase of the work exacted in a given time or by increased speed of the machinery, etc. (reference)

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. (The Gettysburg Address)

Expenditure by the Commission, whether in the discharge of its own functions or in the administration of the territory, will be borne by the local revenues. (reference)

All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. (reference)

This disposition makes unnecessary any discussion whether such segregation also violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. (reference)

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. (reference)

The prosecution may not use statements, whether exculpatory or inculpatory, stemming from questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way, unless it demonstrates the use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the Fifth Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination. (reference)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Actually to discover that Mr. Knightley is a gentleman! I doubt whether he will return the compliment, and discover her to be a lady

We visit for a single day, And whether then we go, or stay, Depends on circumstances

Whether these creatures faded into mist, or mist enshrouded them, he could not tell

He wasn't certain whether he had just got space-sickness or religion

Nevertheless, so abstracted was his look, it might be questioned whether Mr. Dimmesdale even heard the music

We do not ask whether an emeute cost as much as a battle

He walked onward, undismayed, wondering whether he had strayed into the quarter of the jews

He looked over secretly to see whether Joad was interested or amazed

One day in much good company I was asked by a person of quality, whether I had seen any of their Struldbrugs, or Immortals

It is the same whether a man eat, or drink, or cohabit, or sleep sensually

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

Future work is needed to determine whether this is a valid approach. (references)

Each woman should decide for herself whether to undergo mammography. (references)

A biopsy is usually necessary to determine whether cancer is present. (references)

Business

Supplier credit depends on whether it is a buyer's or seller’s market. (references)

Procurement announcements are to state clearly whether the GPA applies. (references)

The Council then decides whether the product should be recommended for registration. (references)

Children

Malaysia

By year's end, it was not possible to verify whether building by-laws had been amended. (references)

Iraq

No information is available regarding whether the Government has enacted specific legislation to promote the welfare of children. (references)

Mexico

In the 2000 census, 1.8 million persons identified themselves as having a disability, although 2.2 million persons chose not to specify whether or not they had a disability. (references)

Civil Liberties

Colombia

The UNHCR and NGO's were denied access, and it is unclear whether the group return was voluntary. (references)

Yemen

Several of the organizers were detained briefly for questioning; it is unclear whether they had a permit. (references)

Venezuela

The ruling set criteria to establish whether a media report is "true" or not, according to the Constitution. (references)

Discrimination

Slovak Republic

In September Deputy Prime Minister Csaky's office drafted a comprehensive antidiscrimination law in response to findings in 2000 from a committee that was appointed to examine existing antidiscrimination legislation and determine whether additional legislation is necessary. (references)

Economic History

Vietnam

This is especially true for consultants, whether local or foreign. (references)

Argentina

A minimum of two founders, whether legal or natural persons, is required. (references)

Human Rights

Jamaica

He questioned whether police came under fire. (references)

Tanzania

It was not known whether any action was taken against the police. (references)

Vietnam

It is unknown whether any political or religious prisoners were among them. (references)

Indigenous People

Indonesia

A March conference debated whether to pursue independence or special autonomy, resulting in numerous meetings with local communities to explain autonomy and solicit input. (references)

Bangladesh

Former insurgent leader Jotirindrio Bodhipriya Larma, alias Shantu Larma, has publicly questioned whether the Peace Accord has been implemented properly, and has urged prompt government action to implement all provisions of the Accord. (references)

Minorities

Egypt

In a number of cases regarding the murder of Christians, it was difficult to determine whether religion was a factor. (references)

Political Economy

CHINA

Workers are free to choose whether or not to join one of these official unions. (references)

PHILIPPINES

Certain products, whether domestically manufactured or imported, are subject to excise tax. (references)

OMAN

It is unclear whether or how any of the expected implementing measures will affect workers' rights. (references)

Political Rights

Macedonia

As of December, Parliament had not decided whether they would be held per the regular schedule in October 2002, or at some earlier date. (references)

Uzbekistan

In December the Parliament voted to hold a referendum in January 2002 on whether to extend the term of the presidency from 5 to 7 years. (references)

Madagascar

However, concerns remain about whether the central Government will provide the necessary resources to support the establishment of the provincial councils, which were established in June. (references)

Trade

Burma

The rates depend whether the item is considered an essential or a luxury item. (references)

Eritrea

Re-exports, whether processed or otherwise, are exempt from export duties and sales tax. (references)

Azerbaijan

This fee is payable regardless of whether the goods are exempt from customs duties or VAT. (references)

Travel

Kenya

There is a fee for the business visa, whether obtained in advance or at the airport. (references)

Japan

Therefore, a company should consider carefully whether to grant exclusive rights to an unknown Japanese company. (references)

Ecuador

Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. (references)

Women

Saudi Arabia

It is not always clear whether the procedure occurred in Saudi Arabia or the workers' home countries. (references)

Guyana

A magistrate then evaluates the case and decides whether to replace interim orders with permanent orders. (references)

Syria

The law prohibits sexual harassment and specifies different punishments depending on whether the victim is a minor or an adult. (references)

Worker Rights

China

The Trade Union Law allows workers to decide whether to join official unions in their enterprises. (references)

Botswana

Because research on child labor is limited, it is difficult to state whether child labor laws are enforced effectively. (references)

United Kingdom

Once the CAC determines the appropriate bargaining unit, it assesses whether a union is likely to have majority support. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Expressions using "WHETHER": i query whether ♦ it is doubtful whether ♦ it recks me not whether ♦ know whether one is coming or going/not to ♦ not know whether one stands on one's head or one's heels ♦ query whether ♦ whether ... or ♦ whether ... or not ♦ whether he likes it or not ♦ whether or no ♦ whether or not ♦ whether that ♦ whether you like or not ♦ wonder whether. Additional references.

Beginning with "WHETHER": whether-or-not, whether-to.

Ending with "WHETHER": know-whether, urgency-whether.

Containing "WHETHER": once-a-fortnight-whether-i-need-it-or-not.

Albanian

a (do, either, if, or). (various references)

Arabic 

‏ما إذا, ‏سواء (alike), ‏اذا (as long as, if, therefore), ‏إذا (if, then, therefore, thus), ‏أي الاثنين. (various references)

Bulgarian 

кой от двамата, ли, дали или не, дали (according as, if). (various references)

Chinese 

是否 (if, is or isn't). (various references)

Croatian

li. (various references)

Czech

zdali (if), zda, který (that, what, which, whichever, who), jestli (if). (various references)

Danish

i aktiv tjeneste eller paa ventepenge vaerende personale (staff, whether actively employed or available for active employment), anvendelse på samhandelen med tredjelande (whether applicable to trade with non-member countries), at lette friere bevaegelse og kontakter,individuelt og kollektivt,hvad enten det er privat eller officielt,mellem enkeltpersoner,institutioner og organisationer i de deltagende stater (among persons, individually and collectively, institutions and organizations of the participating States, to facilitate freer movement and contacts, whether privately or officially), beslutning om at trække et forslag tilbage (decision whether or not to withdraw a proposal), betvivle,hvorvidt beløbet kan forlanges betalt (dispute whether the amount could be claimed), daempningen foraarsaget af skaermen varierer afhaengigt af om straalingsbundtet er smalt eller bredt (the attenuation caused by the screen varies depending on whether the radiation beam is narrow or broad), den nationale oekonomi bestaar af de enheder,institutionelle enheder eller homogene produktionsenheder,hvis transaktioner registreres i ENS,og som har et interessetyngdepunkt paa dette lands oekonomiske omraade (the economy of a country is constituted by the units, whether institutional or of homogeneous production, which have a center of interest on the economic territory of that country), den paataenkte aftales forenelighed med bestemmelserne i denne Traktat (whether an agreement envisaged is compatible with the provisions of this Treaty), emnerne boer vedroere Europas interesser,paa vort kontinent eller uden for dette,paa omraader,hvor en faelles stillingtagen bliver noedvendig eller oenskelig (the subjects dealt with must concern European interests whether in Europe itself or elsewhere where the adoption of a common position is necessary or desirable), for at kunne registreres blandt de værdier,som er genstand for transaktioner,skal guld handles på et marked,som kan være officielt eller ikke-officielt.Dette marked skal imidlertid være autoriseret og organiseret (be authorised and organised, financial gold must be sold on a market, for its value to be recorded among financial transactions, however, whether official or not.This market must), foregribe afgoerelsen med hensyn til spoergsmaalet om (to reach a final conclusion on the question whether), forsaetligt eller af uagtsomhed groft tilsidesaette pligterne (failure to comply with the obligations, whether intentionally or through negligence), anmode om at få fastslået,om det fornoedne antalmedlemmer til stede (to request that it be ascertained whether the quorum is present), gas eller vand,der benyttes til at opretholde reservoirtrykket sendes ned i forekomsten gennem boringer,der specielt er lavet til dette formaal,saakaldte injektionsboringer (called injection wells, these pressure-maintaining fluids are injected into the reservoir formation through specially drilled wells, whether gas or water), vulkanisere (and fabrics, but mainly fabrics)designed to complete the polymerization or condensation reaction of added substance., cure, The heat-treatment of textiles(fibres, The vulcanization of rubber, vulcanize, whether done by the application of heat or by passing through cold sulphuryl chloride solution('cold cure'), yarns), intet sted ved elektronmikroskopet, det vaere sig ved billedomsaetterroeret, observationsvimduet eller under bordpladen, kunne en maalelig effektregistreres (at no point on the electron microscope was it possible to take a reading, whether on the image converter tube the observation window or underneath the table plate), Kommissionens medlemmer maa ikke udoeve nogen anden loennet eller uloennet-erhvervsmaessig virksomhed (the members of the Commission may not engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not), kondensere (and fabrics, but mainly fabrics)designed to complete the polymerization or condensation reaction of added substance., The heat-treatment of textiles(fibres, The vulcanization of rubber, to inspissate, to thicken, whether done by the application of heat or by passing through cold sulphuryl chloride solution('cold cure'), yarns), kraengnings/maaling paa udspaendt traad anvendes med held,naar en flydende boreplatform,der enten er kabelforankret eller fastholdes dynamisk,skal fastholdes til et bestemt punkt (the taut line inclinometer system is successfully used to keep floating structures on station, whether they are dynamically positioned or anchored conventionally), laste-og losseledninger skal forbindes med ventile paa ydersiden af bryggen eller brandvaeggen,uanset om der findes andre ventiler naermere tanken,saa tanken kan isoleres fra det oevrige roerledningssystem i tilfaelde af en ulykke,f.eks.brand (filling and discharge lines should be fitted with valves outside the bund or fire wall irrespective of whether other valves are adjacent to the tank, so that the tank may be isolated from the rest of the piping system in case of an emergency, such as fire), pris,som indeholder den moms,der er faktureret enten af producenten eller ved indførslen,uden hensyntagen til,om køberen kan trække denne moms fra den,han har faktureret på sine egne produkter (price including the VAT invoiced-by the producer or on import-irrespective of whether the purchaser can deduct this tax from the VAT he invoices), udøvelse af-lønnet eller ulønnet-erhvervsmæssig virksomhed (engagement in an occupation, whether gainful or not), udoeve en bibeskaeftigelse mod eller uden vederlag (to engage in an outside activity, whether gainful or not), udoeve erhvervsmaessig beskaeftigelse mod eller uden vederlag (to engage in an occupation whether gainful or not), ved fastsaettelse af graensevaerdier for stoevindholdet er det vigtigt at vide, om man ved siden af den totale konstante stoevbelastning ogsaa udsaettes for punktbelastning (is whether there is a peak effect alongside the cumulative exposure effect), ventiler og fittings paa boreplatforme og tankvaegge samt bunden i tanke boer vaere af sttal,og hvis de ikke er af en type med skruehane,boer de omfatte en indikatoranordning,der tydeligt viser,hvorvidt ventillen er aaben eller lukket (if not of the rising spindle type, should emboly an indicator to mark clearly whether the valve is open or closed, tank shells and the bottoms of tanks should be of steel and, valves and fittings on platforms), fortoejet eller ikke-fortoejet (whether in berth or not). (various references)

Dutch

of (either, if, or). (various references)

Esperanto

ĉu (either, if, is it). (various references)

Estonian

kas. (various references)

Faeroese

ha (<question particle>, either, if). (various references)

Farsi 

چه (Any, Or, What), خواه (Or), ایا (If). (various references)

Finnish

tokko (if), -ko (<question particle>, either, if), ko (if). (various references)

French

si, que (what, which, whom). (various references)

German

ob (<question particle>, either, if, on account of). (various references)

Greek 

είτε (either), αν (if). (various references)

Hawaiian

a (<question particle>, either, if). (various references)

Hebrew 

אם (ancestress, if, in case, matriarch, mother, on condition, providing, supposing, womb). (various references)

Hungarian

vajon (<question particle>). (various references)

Indonesian

ataukah (or), apakah. (various references)

Italian

se (if, provided, provided that, yourself), qualora (if), come se (as if, as though, if, in a way, like), che (as, or, such, than, that, what, which, whichever, who, whom, whoseever). (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

否や (as soon as, if, no sooner than, objection, the moment, yes or no). (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

いなや (as soon as, if, no sooner than, objection, the moment, yes or no). (various references)

Pig Latin

etherwhay.(various references)

Polish

czyżby (, either, if), czy (, either, if). (various references)

Portuguese

se (each other, failing, himself, if, in case that, itself, oneself, provided that, should, so, supposing, themselves, yourself). (various references)

Romanian

oricare din doi, fie cã ... fie cã, dacã (according as, after, if, provided that, when). (various references)

Russian 

который (that, which, who, whom), независимо (independently), ли (if, lea). (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

da li, bilo da. (various references)

Spanish

ya (already, anymore, before, beforehand, by now, now, yet), si (as, b, hello, how, if, like, once, provided that, si, such as, supposing, yea, yeah, yep, yes). (various references)

Swedish

om (about, again, back, concerning, for, if, in, in case, of, on, over, past, provided that, round, supposing, to, upon, wheter), huruvida. (various references)

Turkish

olup olmadığını, eğer (if, provided that, providing, providing that). (various references)

Ukrainian

чи (if, or), котрий з кількох. (various references)

Zulu

na (, either, if). (various references)

an, num, si, utrum, utrumnam, utrumque. (various references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Misspellings

"WHETHER" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: hethel, hether, weether, werther, wether, whather, wheather, wheter, wheth, whethere, whethor, whinther, Whitcher, whithers, whithier, wiether, wuether. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-1 letter: wether.

-2 letters: ether, hewer, rewet, there, three, threw, where.

-3 letters: ewer, here, heth, rete, thee, thew, tree, twee, weer, weet, were, wert, whee, whet.

-4 letters: ere, eth, ewe, heh, her, het, hew, ree, ret, tee, tew, the, wee, wet.

-5 letters: eh, er, et, he, re, we.

+1 letter: herewith.

+2 letters: therewith, wherewith.

+3 letters: otherwhere, otherwhile.

+4 letters: otherwhiles, somewhither, therewithal, wheelwright, wherewithal, whitewasher.

+5 letters: overwithheld, wheelwrights, wherethrough, wherewithals, whitewashers, wholehearted.