wherefrom

Wherefrom is an adverb and a conjunction that indicates the point or origin from which something comes. As an adverb, it typically follows the verb or phrase it modifies. For example, "Wherefrom did you get that information?" or "The book, wherefrom I learned this fact, is quite old." It functions as a question word asking about the source.

As a conjunction, wherefrom introduces a subordinate clause that specifies the origin or cause of something in the main clause. It often implies a consequence or derivation. For instance, "He was a man of great learning, wherefrom his wisdom flowed abundantly." In this usage, it connects the idea of his learning to the resulting wisdom.

The word "wherefrom" is considered somewhat archaic or formal in modern English. While still understood, it is less common in everyday conversation and writing than simpler alternatives like "from where" or phrases that directly state the source. Its usage is more frequently found in older literature, legal documents, or in contexts aiming for a deliberately elevated or historical tone. The etymology of wherefrom clearly shows its origin from "where" and "from," combining the interrogative about place with the preposition indicating origin.