Meaning of 'how'

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

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.

. 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.

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

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

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

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!"

Sam. i.

. 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.