1. As compound relative: Any or either (of a definite set of persons or things, expressed or implied) that…; that one (or those) who or which (with implication that it is unknown or undetermined which). † Formerly also without restriction to a definite set: = WHATEVER 2.
Often following, and in apposition with, a pair or set of alternatives connected by or; the construction is then app. identical with that in 2, but is really different, and distinguished by intonation.
1388. Wyclif, Ps. i. 3. Alle thingis which euere [first vers. what euere] he schal do schulen haue prosperite.
1418. in Engl. Gilds, 445. Þat the bretheren and susteren … ȝerely chese on Alderman and Maistres,… qwicheuer [hem] thinketh most best.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. xix. 112. He … allowith which euer of thilk weies and meenis be take.
1754. in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874), 48. Upon their attaining their respective ages of eighteen years compleat or their being lawfully married whichever of these events should first happen.
1802. Maria Edgeworth, Moral T., Forester, xi. At a walk, trot, or gallop, whichever you please.
1844. Alb. Smith, Adv. Mr. Ledbury, xlii. They were … permitted to go whichever way they chose.
1872. Black, Adv. Phaeton, x. 145. To dinner—or supper, whichever it ought to be called.
1911. Act 1 & 2 Geo. V., c. 46 § 16 (1). Copyright shall subsist during the life of the author who first dies and for a term of fifty years after his death, or during the life of the author who dies last, whichever period is the longer.
2. Introducing a qualifying dependent clause: Whether one or another (of a definite set); no matter which.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., II. xvii. § 3. Which-ever [ed. 1714 Whichsoever] of these he takes, and how often soever he doubles … it, he finds [etc.].
1704. Swift, Batt. Bks., Misc. (1711), 226. Both Sides hang out their Trophies too, which ever comes by the worst.
1769. Junius Lett., xxiii. (1788), 135. Whichever way he flies, the Hue and Cry of the country pursues him.
1847. De Quincey, Joan of Arc, Wks. 1890, V. 390. On whichever side of the border chance had thrown Joanna, the same love to France would have been nurtured.
1856. Merivale, Rom. Emp., xlii. V. 29. To whichever of the two camps … he should repair, his own jealous nature feared to awaken the jealousy of the other.
1882. Besant, All Sorts, xxviii. In politics you are used as the counters of a game…. You get nothing, whichever side is in.
