1.
adv., conj., & n.
--interrog. adv.
1. by what means, in what way (how do you do it?; tell me how you do it; how could you behave so disgracefully?; but how to bridge the gap?).
2 in what condition, esp. of health (how is the patient?; how do things stand?).
3 a to what extent (how far is it?; how would you like to take my place?; how we laughed!). b to what extent good or well, what ... like (how was the film?; how did they play?).
--rel. adv. in whatever way, as (do it how you can).
--conj. colloq. that (told us how he'd been in India).
--n. the way a thing is done (the how and why of it).
Phrases and idioms:
and how! sl. very much so (chiefly used ironically or intensively). here's how! I drink to your good health. how about
1. would you like (how about a game of chess?).
2 what is to be done about.
3 what is the news about.
how are you?
1. what is your state of health? 2 how do you do? how come? see COME. how do? an informal greeting on being introduced to a stranger. how do you do? a formal greeting. how-do-you-do (or how-d'ye-do) n. (pl. -dos) an awkward situation. how many what number. how much 1 what amount (how much do I owe you?; did not know how much to take).
2 what price (how much is it?).
3 (as interrog.) joc. what? ('She is a hedonist.' 'A how much?').
how now? archaic what is the meaning of this? how so? how can you show that that is so? how's that?
1. what is your opinion or explanation of that? 2 Cricket (said to an umpire) is the batsman out or not?
Etymology: OE hu f. WG 2. int. a greeting used by N. American Indians.
Etymology: perh. f. Sioux h{aacute}o, Omaha hau