How

Part of speech: adverb (adv.)

1. In what manner or way; by what means or process. How can a man be born when he is old John iii. 4.

2. To what degree or extent, number or amount; in what proportion; by what measure or quality. O, how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Ps. cxix. 97. 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.

3. For what reason; from what cause. How now, my love! why is your cheek so pale Shak.

4. In what state, condition, or plight. How, and with what reproach, shall I return Dryden.

5. By what name, designation, or title. How art thou called Shak.

6. At what price; how dear. [Obs.] How a score of ewes now Shak.

7. Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun; -- as, the how, the when, the wherefore. Shelley. Let me beg you -- don't say "How" for "What" Holmes.