how

how
{{11}}how (adv.) O.E. hu, from W.Gmc. *hwo- (Cf. O.S. hwo, O.Fris., M.Du. hu. Du. hoe, Ger. wie, Goth. hvaiwa "how"), from common PIE interrogative pronomial stem *kwo- (see WHO (Cf. who)). How come? for "why?" is recorded from 1848. And how! emphatic, first recorded 1865. The formulation was common in book and article titles by then, e.g. The National Debt, and How to Pay It), but Pennsylvania writer Bayard Taylor, in whom it is first recorded, seems to regard it as a German or German-American expression.
{{12}}how (interj.) Native American greeting, Siouxan (Cf. Dakota hao, Omaha hau); first recorded 1817 in English, but noted early 17c. by French missionary Jean de Brebeuf among Hurons as an expression of approval (1636).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
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  • how — W1S1 [hau] adv, conj [: Old English; Origin: hu] 1.) used to ask or talk about the way in which something happens or is done ▪ How do you spell your name? ▪ How can I help you? ▪ I d like to help in some way, but I m not sure how. ▪ He explained… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • how — [ hau ] function word *** How can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): How do you spell your last name? I don t know how the system works. (introducing an EXCLAMATION): How I hate the winter!… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • how — how1 [hou] adv. [ME hwu, hu < OE, akin to OHG hweo (Ger wie), Goth hwai wa < IE interrogative base * kwo , *kwe > WHY, WHO, L quo, Sans kā] 1. in what manner or way; by what means 2. in what state or condition 3. for what reason or… …   English World dictionary

  • How — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • how — ► ADVERB 1) in what way or by what means. 2) in what condition or health. 3) to what extent or degree. 4) the way in which. ● and how! Cf. ↑and how! ● how about? …   English terms dictionary

  • How — may refer to: *How (interrogative), an interrogative word in English grammar *How (greeting), a greeting in some representations by Europeans of Native American speech *How, Cumbria, a settlement in northwest England *William Walsham How (1823… …   Wikipedia

  • how so? — (archaic) How can this be so?, why? • • • Main Entry: ↑how * * * how so?/how’s that?/spoken phrase used for asking someone to explain the reason for the statement they have just made ‘If the dam is built, a lot of people will suffer.’ ‘How so?’… …   Useful english dictionary

  • how-to — how toer, n. /how tooh /, adj., n., pl. how tos. adj. 1. giving or pertaining to basic instructions and directions to the layperson on the methods for doing or making something, esp. as a hobby or for practical use: a how to book on photography.… …   Universalium

  • HOW... — HOW... (ISSN 0886 0483), called HOW Design Ideas at Work on its cover, is a monthly magazine for graphic designers. Launched in 1985, HOW... is edited by Bryn Mooth, with senior editor Megan Lane. HOW... is published by F+W Publications Inc. of… …   Wikipedia

  • how-to — Ⅰ. how to UK US adjective [before noun] ► used to describe something that provides practical advice on a particular activity: »a how to book/guide/article Ⅱ. how to UK US noun [C] (plural how tos) ► a book, DVD, etc. that gives practical advice… …   Financial and business terms

  • how|dy — how|dy1 «HOW dee, HOH », noun, plural dies. Scottish. a midwife. ╂[origin unknown] how|dy2 «HOW dee», interjection, noun, plural dies. Dialect. how do you do …   Useful english dictionary

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