adv. [ OE. how, hou, hu, hwu, AS. h&unr_;, from the same root as hwā, hwæt, who, what, pron. interrog.; akin to OS. hwōw, D. hoe, cf. G. wie how, Goth. hwē wherewith, hwaiwa how. √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 ]

☞ 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 ]

‖n. [ Ar. ] 1. A traveler. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A merchant; -- so called in the East because merchants were formerly the chief travelers. [ 1913 Webster ]

conj. [ How + be + it. ] Be it as it may; nevertheless; notwithstanding; although; albeit; yet; but; however. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Moor -- howbeit that I endure him not -
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ar. hawdaj. ] A seat or pavilion, generally covered, fastened on the back of an elephant, for the rider or riders. [ Written also houdah. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Scot., also houdy- wife. Of uncertain origin; cf. OSw. jordgumma; or perh. fr. E. how d'ye. ] A midwife. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To smooth; to plane; as, to howel a cask. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A tool used by coopers for smoothing and chamfering rheir work, especially the inside of casks. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The upper stage of a porcelian furnace. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ Sometimes contracted into howe'er. ] 1. In whetever manner, way, or degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

However yet they me despise and spite. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. At all events; at least; in any case. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our chief end is to be freed from all, if it may be, however from the greatest evils. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

conj. Nevertheless; notwithstanding; yet; still; though; as, I shall not oppose your design; I can not, however, approve of it. [ 1913 Webster ]

In your excuse your love does little say;
You might howe'er have took a better way. Dryden.

Syn. -- However, At least, Nevertheless, Yet. These words, as here compared, have an adversative sense in reference to something referred to in the context. However is the most general, and leads to a final conclusion or decision. Thus we say, the truth, however, has not yet fully come out; i.e., such is the speaker's conclusion in view of the whole case. So also we say, however, you may rely on my assistance to that amount; i. e., at all events, whatever may happen, this is my final decision. At least is adversative in another way. It points out the utmost concession that can possibly be required, and still marks the adversative conclusion; as, at least, this must be done; whatever may be our love of peace, we must at least maintain the rights of conscience. Nevertheless denotes that though the concession be fully made, it has no bearing of the question; as, nevertheless, we must go forward. Yet signifies that however extreme the supposition or fact comceded may be, the consequence which might naturally be expected does not and will not follow; as, though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee; though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Cf. But. [ 1913 Webster ]