how so en · ADV
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From ellipsis of "how is that so?", and also continuing Middle English how-so, hou-so, hu se (“however, in whatsoever way”). Compare West Frisian hoesa (“how so, why”), Dutch hoezo (“how so, why”), German Low German woso (“how so, why”), German wieso (“how so, why”), Swedish hurså (“how so”). By surface analysis, how + so.
Meanings
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How; In what way; however
But we have groaned over this experience, an O ! dear ! with every breath, and wished ourselves out of it, someway, somehow, no matter what way or how so we were rid of it.
1897, Ursula Newell Gestefeld, How We Master Our Fate, page 62:But how so thys money was lent or gyded, at thys daye the cheste remayneth in the chamber of London, wythout money or pledges for the same.
1809, The Literary Panorama, and National Register, page 1179:Of every wit somewhat he can Out-take that him lacketh rule, His own estate to guide and rule; How so it stood of his speaking, He was not wise in his doing;
2014, Gesta Romanorum, →ISBN, page clxxxiii:
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(idiomatic) Why; For what reason.
That picture wasn't much to look at, being so old and all, but Mrs. Oaks made like it looked so nice; or, that's what she said as she stared at it, looking back and forth at the picture and me like it wasn't so. Only, she just didn't know how so it wasn't. It wasn't me at all.
2013, Earlene Jernigan-Carter, When Life Just Happens: A Book of Short Stories, →ISBN, page 70:My reflection in you warbled, because you see only hints, of what I see to beacon of me. Who am I who is reflecting from you? How so do I identify my soul in you?
2014, Eve Chilicas, Supernatural: Sci-Fi Poetry, →ISBN, page 24:Yet how so ere I love, I must be wife.
1598, Robert Greene, The Scottish Historie of James the Fourth:
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Used as an intensifier.
The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord ; and in thy salvation how so shall he rejoice!
1771, The Book of Common Prayer:I wished my voice would carry him through eternity, keeping us in a moment that nothing could part, oh, and how so I wanted to follow his lead, and how so to death I was determined not to concede, and how so, how so many wonderful things;
2014, Daniel C. Joneikies, Vampyre's Pyre, →ISBN, page 105:How so we love thee! Even UNIVAC and IBM Could never count the way.
2012, H. Bundy Shaw, Play On Words: Poems, Lyrics, and Other Writings of H. Bundy Shaw, →ISBN: