Why-not

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Why-not \Why"-not`\, n.
     A violent and peremptory procedure without any assigned
     reason; a sudden conclusive happening. [Obs.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
           When the church


           Was taken with a why-not in the lurch.   --Hudibras.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           This game . . . was like to have been lost with a
           why-not.                                 --Nugae Antiq.
     [1913 Webster]