\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.
         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.
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.
            Let me beg you -- don't say ``How?'' for
            ``What?''                          --Holmes.