whence
adv. placeadv. from where or from which place. It is an old-fashioned word used to ask or explain where something started.
adv. from what place, source, or cause. Often used to introduce a relative clause indicating origin.
They returned to the land whence they came.
The river flows down from the high mountains, whence it gains its speed and cold temperature.
The philosopher examined the ancient texts to determine the exact cultural milieu whence these radical ideas first emerged into the public consciousness.
From Middle English whennes, from Old English hwanon (with adverbial genitive -s), related to hwonne (whence when). Analyzable as when + -s.
Primarily literary or archaic; functions as a relative adverb. Because the word itself means 'from where', using 'from whence' is technically redundant, though common in historical literature.
the city from whence he camethe city whence he cameUsing 'from' with 'whence' is redundant because 'whence' already includes the meaning of 'from'.