Part 916

Dryden.

2. To hang about; to move to and fro near a place, threateningly, watchfully, or irresolutely.

Agricola having sent his navy to hover on the coast.

Milton.

Hovering o'er the paper with her quill.

Shak.

Hov"er*er (?), n. A device in an incubator for protecting the young chickens and keeping them warm.

Hov"er-hawk` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) The kestrel.

Hov"er*ing*ly, adv. In a hovering manner.

How (?), adv. [OE. how, hou, hu, hwu, AS. h&?;, from the same root as hw, hwÊt, who, what, pron. interrog.; akin to OS. hww, D. hoe, cf. G. wie how, Goth. hw wherewith, hwaiwa how. √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?