Part 917

Shak.

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.

||How*adj"i (?), n. [Ar.] 1. A traveler.

2. A merchant; -- so called in the East because merchants were formerly the chief travelers.

How*be"it (?), conj. [How + be + it.] Be it as it may; nevertheless; notwithstanding; although; albeit; yet; but; however.

The Moor -- howbeit that I endure him not - Is of a constant, loving, noble nature.

Shak.

How"dah (?), n. [Ar. hawdaj.] A seat or pavilion, generally covered, fastened on the back of an elephant, for the rider or riders. [Written also houdah.]

How"dy (?), n. [Scot., also houdy- wife. Of uncertain origin; cf. OSw. jordgumma; or perh. fr. E. how d'ye.] A midwife. [Prov. Eng.]

How"el (?), n. A tool used by coopers for smoothing and chamfering rheir work, especially the inside of casks.

How"el, v. t. To smooth; to plane; as, to howel a cask.

How"ell, n. The upper stage of a porcelian furnace.

How*ev"er (?), adv. [Sometimes contracted into howe'er.] 1. In whetever manner, way, or degree.

However yet they me despise and spite.

Spenser.

Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault.

Shak.

2. At all events; at least; in any case.

Our chief end is to be freed from all, if it may be, however from the greatest evils.

Tillotson.

How*ev"er, conj. Nevertheless; notwithstanding; yet; still; though; as, I shall not oppose your design; I can not, however, approve of it.

In your excuse your love does little say; You might howe'er have took a better way.

Dryden.

Syn. -- However, At least, Nevertheless, Yet. These words, as here compared, have an adversative sense in reference to something referred to in the context. However is the most general, and leads to a final conclusion or decision. Thus we say, the truth, however, has not yet fully come out; i.e., such is the speaker's conclusion in view of the whole case. So also we say, however, you may rely on my assistance to that amount; i. e., at all events, whatever may happen, this is my final decision. At least is adversative in another way. It points out the utmost concession that can possibly be required, and still marks the adversative conclusion; as, at least, this must be done; whatever may be our love of peace, we must at least maintain the rights of conscience. Nevertheless denotes that though the concession be fully made, it has no bearing of the question; as, nevertheless, we must go forward. Yet signifies that however extreme the supposition or fact comceded may be, the consequence which might naturally be expected does not and will not follow; as, though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee; though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Cf. But.

How"itz (?), n. A howitzer. [Obs.]

How"itz*er (?), n. [G. haubitze, formerly hauffnitz, Bohem. haufnice, orig., a sling.] (Mil.) (a) A gun so short that the projectile, which was hollow, could be put in its place by hand; a kind of mortar. [Obs.] (b) A short, light, largebore cannon, usually having a chamber of smaller diameter than the rest of the bore, and intended to throw large projectiles with comparatively small charges.