"Of whence" is an outdated and redundant phrase commonly used in old literature. The spelling of this phrase can be broken down as follows: "of" is pronounced /ʌv/ and refers to a possessive relationship, while "whence" is pronounced /wɛns/ and means "from where." However, using both words together is unnecessary since "whence" already implies the sense of possession conveyed by "of." As such, modern English speakers should avoid using this obsolete phrase and instead opt for "whence" on its own.
"Of whence" is a phrase that combines the preposition "of" with the adverb "whence." Individually, "of" indicates belonging or possession, while "whence" denotes the source or origin of something. When used together, "of whence" refers to the place or origin from which something or someone came.
The phrase "of whence" is often employed to convey a sense of tracing back or finding the root cause or origin of something. It emphasizes the idea that a particular item, idea, or individual has a preceding point of origin. It is commonly used in a historical or genealogical context when trying to identify the place from which a person or thing originated.
For example, if one were to say, "He is a great explorer, tracing his ancestry to a small village of whence his family first settled," it conveys that the person being discussed is adept at researching and identifying the origins of his family lineage. The phrase "of whence" reinforces the idea that he is knowledgeable about the specific village or location where his family's history begins.
In summary, "of whence" refers to the place or origin from which someone or something came. It denotes tracing back to the source or identifying the starting point of a particular item, idea, or individual.
The phrase "of whence" is not a commonly used phrase. However, when dissected, we can explore the etymology of each individual word:
1. "Of": The word "of" is a preposition that comes from the Old English word "of" or "off". Its origins can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*af". It is used to indicate possession, origin, or association. In this context, it typically denotes a specific relationship or connection.
2. "Whence": The word "whence" is an adverb that originated from the Old English word "hwanne" or "hwanon". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*hwanan". "Whence" is used to ask about the origin or source of something. It can also mean "from what place" or "from where".