How

How
How How, adv. [OE. how, hou, hu, hwu, AS. h?, from the same root as hw[=a], hw[ae]t, who, what, pron. interrog.; akin to OS. hw[=o]w, D. hoe, cf. G. wie how, Goth. hw[=e] wherewith, hwaiwa how. [root]182. See {Who}, and cf. {Why}.] 1. In what manner or way; by what means or process. [1913 Webster]

How can a man be born when he is old? --John iii. 4. [1913 Webster]

2. To what degree or extent, number or amount; in what proportion; by what measure or quality. [1913 Webster]

O, how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. --Ps. cxix. 97. [1913 Webster]

By how much they would diminish the present extent of the sea, so much they would impair the fertility, and fountains, and rivers of the earth. --Bentley. [1913 Webster]

3. For what reason; from what cause. [1913 Webster]

How now, my love! why is your cheek so pale? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. In what state, condition, or plight. [1913 Webster]

How, and with what reproach, shall I return? --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

5. By what name, designation, or title. [1913 Webster]

How art thou called? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. At what price; how dear. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

How a score of ewes now? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Note: How is used in each sense, interrogatively, interjectionally, and relatively; it is also often employed to emphasize an interrogation or exclamation. ``How are the mighty fallen!'' --2 Sam. i. 27. Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun; -- as, the how, the when, the wherefore. --Shelley. [1913 Webster]

Let me beg you -- don't say ``How?'' for ``What?'' --Holmes. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • how — W1S1 [hau] adv, conj [: Old English; Origin: hu] 1.) used to ask or talk about the way in which something happens or is done ▪ How do you spell your name? ▪ How can I help you? ▪ I d like to help in some way, but I m not sure how. ▪ He explained… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • how — [ hau ] function word *** How can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): How do you spell your last name? I don t know how the system works. (introducing an EXCLAMATION): How I hate the winter!… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • how — how1 [hou] adv. [ME hwu, hu < OE, akin to OHG hweo (Ger wie), Goth hwai wa < IE interrogative base * kwo , *kwe > WHY, WHO, L quo, Sans kā] 1. in what manner or way; by what means 2. in what state or condition 3. for what reason or… …   English World dictionary

  • how — ► ADVERB 1) in what way or by what means. 2) in what condition or health. 3) to what extent or degree. 4) the way in which. ● and how! Cf. ↑and how! ● how about? …   English terms dictionary

  • How — may refer to: *How (interrogative), an interrogative word in English grammar *How (greeting), a greeting in some representations by Europeans of Native American speech *How, Cumbria, a settlement in northwest England *William Walsham How (1823… …   Wikipedia

  • how so? — (archaic) How can this be so?, why? • • • Main Entry: ↑how * * * how so?/how’s that?/spoken phrase used for asking someone to explain the reason for the statement they have just made ‘If the dam is built, a lot of people will suffer.’ ‘How so?’… …   Useful english dictionary

  • how-to — how toer, n. /how tooh /, adj., n., pl. how tos. adj. 1. giving or pertaining to basic instructions and directions to the layperson on the methods for doing or making something, esp. as a hobby or for practical use: a how to book on photography.… …   Universalium

  • HOW... — HOW... (ISSN 0886 0483), called HOW Design Ideas at Work on its cover, is a monthly magazine for graphic designers. Launched in 1985, HOW... is edited by Bryn Mooth, with senior editor Megan Lane. HOW... is published by F+W Publications Inc. of… …   Wikipedia

  • how-to — Ⅰ. how to UK US adjective [before noun] ► used to describe something that provides practical advice on a particular activity: »a how to book/guide/article Ⅱ. how to UK US noun [C] (plural how tos) ► a book, DVD, etc. that gives practical advice… …   Financial and business terms

  • how|dy — how|dy1 «HOW dee, HOH », noun, plural dies. Scottish. a midwife. ╂[origin unknown] how|dy2 «HOW dee», interjection, noun, plural dies. Dialect. how do you do …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”