WHAT
What, interrog. adv.
Defn: Why For what purpose On what account [Obs.] What should I tell the answer of the knight. Chaucer. But what do I stand reckoning upon advantages and gains lost by the misrule and turbulency of the prelates What do I pick up so thriftily their scatterings and diminishings of the meaner subject Milton.
WHATE'ER
What*e'er", pron.
Defn: A contraction of what-ever; — used in poetry. "Whate'er is in his way." Shak.
WHATEVER
What*ev"er, pron.
Defn: Anything soever which; the thing or things of any kind; being this or that; of one nature or another; one thing or another; anything that may be; all that; the whole that; all particulars that; — used both substantively and adjectively. Whatever fortune stays from his word. Shak. Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields. Milton. Whatever be its intrinsic value. J. H. Newman.
Note: Whatever often follows a noun, being used elliptically. "There being no room for any physical discovery whatever" [sc. it may be]. Whately.
WHATNOT
What"not, n. Etym: [See the Note under What, pron., 5.]
Defn: A kind of stand, or piece of furniture, having shelves for books, ornaments, etc.; an étagère.
WHATSO
What"so, indef. pron.