Whence hath this man this wisdom? --Matt. xiii.
54.
Whence and what art thou? --Milton.
2. From what or which place, source, material, cause, etc.;
the place, source, etc., from which; -- used relatively.
Grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends.
--Milton.
Note: All the words of this class, whence, where, whither,
whereabouts, etc., are occasionally used as pronouns by
a harsh construction.
O, how unlike the place from whence they fell?
--Milton.
Note: From whence, though a pleonasm, is fully authorized by
the use of good writers.
From whence come wars and fightings among you?
--James iv. 1.
Of whence, also a pleonasm, has become obsolete.