1. [n]  the cause or intention underlying an action or situation esp in the phrase"the whys and wherefores"
2. [adv]  question word; what is the reason; "why are you here?"; (`how come' is a nonstandard variant as in"how come he got an ice cream cone but I didn't?")

Why
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1. \Why\, adv. [OE. whi, why, AS. hw[=i], hw?, instrumental
   case of hw[=a], hw[ae]t; akin to Icel. hv[=i] why, Dan. & Sw.
   hvi; cf. Goth. hw?. ?. See {Who}.]
   1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account;
      wherefore; -- used interrogatively. See the Note under
      {What}, pron., 1.
            Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will
            ye die, O house of Israel?            --Ezek.
                                                  xxxiii. 11.
   2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively.
            No ground of enmity between us known Why he should
            mean me ill or seek to harm.          --Milton.
            Turn the discourse; I have a reason why I would not
            have you speak so tenderly.           --Dryden.
   3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which;
      on what account; as, I know not why he left town so
      suddenly; -- used as a compound relative.
   Note: Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an
         expletive in expression of surprise or content at a
         turn of affairs; used also in calling. ``Why,
         Jessica!'' --Shak.
               If her chill heart I can not move, Why, I'll
               enjoy the very love.               --Cowley.
         Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun.
               The how and the why and the where. --Goldsmith.
   {For why}, because; why. See {Forwhy}. [Obs. or Colloq.]
   

2. \Why\, n.
   A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.