What

hwot, interrog. pron. applied both to persons and things—also used elliptically and as an interjection: ( Shak. ) used to expre a summons, or as a mere expletive.— interrog. adj. of what sort, how much, how great—also used in an intensive manner.— rel. pron. that which, such... as: ( Shak. ) any, who, which.— indef. pron. something: ( Spens. ) a portion, bit.— adv. ( obs. ) why? to what degree?— conj. so much as: that, as in but what , that... not.— ns. What′abouts , the things one is occupied about; What′-d'ye-call ( -it , -'em ), a word substituted for the name of a thing (or person) because of forgetfulne , or in contempt.— adjs. What′en , What′ten ( Scot. ), what kind of.— prons. Whatev′er , Whate'er′ , anything which: ( coll. ) what?— adj. any or all that, no matter what.— adjs. What′-like ( coll. ), of what kind; What′na ( Scot. ), same as Whaten .— pron. What′not , whatever or whoever.— adj. What′so , of whatever kind.— pron. whosoever.— adjs. Whatsoev′er , Whatsoe'er′ , of whatever kind; Whatsomev′er ( coll. ), whatsoever.— What an if ( Shak. ), what of; What else , could anything else be the case? What... for ( Shak. ), what kind of; What ho! a loud summons; What if , what would happen if? What not , elliptical for 'what may I not say?' implying the presence or existence of many other things; What of , what comes of? what do you think of? What's what , the real or genuine thing; What though , what matters it though, notwithstanding; What time , at the very time when; What with , by reason of. [A.S. hwæt , neut. of hwa , who; Ger. was , L. quid .]