Originally, an interrogative pronoun, later, a relative pronoun also; -- used always substantively, and either as singular or plural. See the Note under
What,
pron.,
1. As interrogative pronouns,
who and
whom ask the question: What or which person or persons?
Who and
whom, as relative pronouns (in the sense of
that), are properly used of persons (corresponding to
which, as applied to things), but are sometimes, less properly and now rarely, used of animals, plants, etc.
Who and
whom, as compound relatives, are also used especially of persons, meaning the person that; the persons that; the one that; whosoever.
See: What
“[He] should not tell
whose children they were.”
— Chaucer.
“There thou tell'st of kings, and
who aspire;
Who fall,
who rise,
who triumph,
who do moan.”
— Daniel.
“Adders
who with cloven tongues
Do hiss into madness.”
— Shak.
“
Whom I could pity thus forlorn.”
— Milton.
“How hard is our fate,
who serve in the state.”
— Addison.
“
Who cheapens life, abates the fear of death.”
— Young.
“The brace of large greyhounds,
who were the companions of his sports.”
— Sir W. Scott.