Citations:how do you mean

English citations of how do you mean

		1572	1661
ME «	15th c.	16th c.	17th c.	18th c.	19th c.	20th c.	21st c.

• 1571, Ambassador‎^[1], page 169:

  This may be, ſaith the King, hereafter, my Councel telleth me it ſhould be dangerous for me at this preſent, to have it in expreſs words; but what maketh it matter, I mean it ſo, and what I once ſay, I will keep it, I will rather dye then not keep my promiſe: Here I ſay it to you, and will write it to the Queen my Siſter. How do you mean Sir (quoth I) in a writing, after the faſhion of a Treaty, and ſealed with your Great Seal of France , or but in a Letter cloſe.

• 1661, I.C., A Pleasant Comedy, Called, The Two Merry Milk‐Maids‎^[2], page 26:

  Fre: Why ’tis ordinary, get her good will, and lie with her. How think you Sir, is not that the Cure?
  Ber. A better cannot be applyed, I aſſure you.
  Doril. Wud thou wert gone.
  Fre. How do you mean , in drink? Give me ſome Wine, I had forgot myſelf. Mine hoſt, I would drink to thee, but thou art not able to pledg me: therefore here’s to thee honeſt blew‐coat.

• 1669, John Dryden, Secret Love, or the Maiden‐Queen‎^[3], page 32:

  Cel. Well, what think you now of a reckoning betwixt us?
  Flor. How do you mean?

• 1673, Henry Neville Payne, The Morning Ramble, or, The Town‐Humours‎^[4], page 23:

  Ruff. No, but Cheats will.
  Ful. How do you mean, Sir, I ſay ? Cheat again ! war the third time, Mr. Ruffle.