why

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

adv. wherefore? what for? for what cause? how come? (sl.). See cause, attribution.

II

(Roget's IV) modif. , conj. & interrog.

Syn. for what reason?, how so?, how?, how is it that?, on whose account?, what is the cause that?, to what end?, for what purpose?, on what foundation?, how do you explain that?, how come?*.

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun 1. That which provides a reason or justification: call, cause, ground (often used in plural), justification, necessity, occasion, reason, wherefore. Idiom: why and wherefore. See START. 2. A fact or circumstance that gives logical support to an assertion, claim, or proposal: argument, ground (often used m plural), proof, reason, wherefore. Idiom: why and wherefore. See REASON. 3. What one intends to do or achieve: aim, ambition, design, end, goal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, purpose, target, view. Idioms: end in view, why and wherefore. See PLANNED, PURPOSE.