which

which [hwich, wich]

pron.

[ME whiche < OE hwylc, hwelc, for * hwa-lic, lit., who like (akin to Goth hwileiks, OHG hwelīh, Ger welch): see WHO & -LY¹]

1. what one (or ones) of the number of persons, things, or events mentioned or implied? [which of the men answered? which do you want?]

2. the one (or ones) that [he knows which he wants]

3. that: used as a relative referring to the thing, group, or event specified in the antecedent word, phrase, or clause: which can be used in a restrictive clause [the war which had just ended, the class to which he spoke ], in a restrictive clause preceded by the pronoun that [he sacrificed that which he valued most ], in a nonrestrictive clause [my car, which is not running; my family, in which she found a warm welcome ], or, archaically, of a person [Our Father, which art in heaven ]

4. either, or any, of the persons, things, or events previously mentioned or implied; whichever [take which you prefer]

5. a thing or fact that [you are late — which reminds me, where were you yesterday?]

adj.

1. what one or ones (of the number mentioned or implied) [which man (or men) answered? which books did he choose?]

2. whatever; no matter what [try which method he pleased, he could not succeed]

3. being the one just mentioned [he is very old, which fact is important]