adv. Also 8 some how, some-how. [f. SOME a.1 2 + HOW adv.]
1. In some manner or by some means not understood or defined; one way or another; someway.
1740–2. Richardson, Pamela, III. 237. A Hint that might some-how be improved.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, II. xii. 455. I trembled when I saw him, for I always was afraid of him, somehow.
1822. Byron, Juan, VII. xxxv. Somewhere, somehow, there was a fault.
1861. Thackeray, Four Georges, iii. (1862), 131. The Royal New York Gazette somehow ceased to be published.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., xxvi. (1878), 448. You’re very different somehow from what you used to be.
2. In the phr. Somehow or other, or another.
(a) 1664. P. Henry, Diaries & Lett. (1882), 158. An Act … was made ready, but somehow or other was missing.
1719. [see HOW adv. 16].
1780. Mirror, No. 78. 312. But, some how or other, our expectations have been always disappointed.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, II. i. ¶ 5. His hand shook, to be sure; but somehow or other it contrived to do its duty.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 203. We contrived at last, somehow or other, to agree in a general conclusion.
(b) 1775. S. J. Pratt, Liberal Opin., cxvi. (1783), IV. 91. Some how or another, Green chatted me into tolerable spirits.
1809. Syd. Smith, Serm., I. 75. It somehow or another happens, that the time … is that which would otherwise be appropriated to the duties of religion.
1863. Reade, Hard Cash, III. 9. You have made a little palace of it, somehow or another.
1880. F. G. Lee, Ch. under Q. Eliz., II. 143.
