pron. arch. [f. WHICH: see SOEVER.]
1. = WHICHEVER 1.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 532. To the said Alisaundre and molde his wyf and to ther heires or ther assignes or whom-so-euer or which-so-euer and whan-so-euer he wolde yeve bequeth selle or assigne hit.
1795. Washington, Lett., Writ. 1892, XIII. 65. To go to whichsoever [side] their interest, convenience, or inclination, might prompt them.
a. 1843. Southey, Cid, II. xiv. Saying that to whichsoever God should give the victory, to him also would he give up the kingdom.
1862. Johns, Brit. Birds, 235. Hunting … for whichsoever article of their diet happens to be in season.
2. = WHICHEVER 2.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, xxi. 64. Whiche so euer way ye take, it shall not be without me.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., f 9. [The] Proposal of an obvious … Remedy to the said Evil, to whichsoever of the supposed Causes the same should be found imputable.
1714. [see quot. 1690 s.v. WHICHEVER 2].
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., X. III. 248. Whichsoever of these authors an intelligent person takes for his guide…, he must discover [etc.].
1828. Scott, Tales of Grandfather, Ser. I. (ed. 6), II. 274. To whichsoever he might attach himself, he was sure to become an object of hatred and suspicion to the other.
1853. Dickens, Repr. Pieces, Noble Sagare. Yielding to whichsoever of these agreeable eccentricities, he is a savage. Ibid. (1853), Bleak Ho., x. With whichsoever of the many tongues of Rumour this frothy report originated, it … never reached … the ears of young Snagsby.
