which
Meaning
Used to ask for information specifying one or more people or things from a definite set.
Used to refer to something previously mentioned when introducing a clause giving further information.
Usage
Which book did you prefer?
The house, which was built in 1920, has been renovated.
He didn't say which route he would take.
Etymology
The word 'which' originates from the Old English 'hwilc', a compound of 'hwa' (who) and 'lic' (body, form, like). This construction literally meant "of what form or kind." It is cognate with Old High German 'welīh' and Old Norse 'hvílíkr'. Over time, through regular sound changes in Middle English, 'hwilc' evolved into 'which', shedding its more transparent compound nature while retaining its core function as an interrogative and relative pronoun used for selection and specification from a known group.
Analysis
N/A