What is whence? How to use in English

The origin of the word "whence" can be traced back to the Old English preposition "hwence," which meant "from what place." The word "whence" is derived from this Old English phrase, although the spelling has been simplified over time. In Middle English, the word evolved to "whonce," and it began to lose its use as a common preposition in the 15th century. However, "whence" continued to be used in literary and poetic contexts, especially in formal writing, due to its archaic and poetic associations. In modern English, "whence" is now considered a rare and formal word, typically used in literary or poetic contexts to indicate the source or origin of something. It is less common than its more commonly used synonym, "from where." The use of "whence" can add a touch of archaic or poetic beauty to a sentence, but its relative obscurity may make it less accessible to some readers or speakers.