how farest thou

English

Etymology

Occurs already as Old English hū færest þū, literally “how are you going or traveling.”

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /haʊ ˈfɛɹɪst ðaʊ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /haʊ ˈfɛəɹɪst ðaʊ/

Phrase

how farest thou?

1. (obsolete) how are you?, how's it going?
   • c. 1607, William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra:

     POMPEY: "I know thee now. How farest thou, soldier?" ENOBARBUS: "Well. And well am like to do, for I perceive four feasts are toward."