Definition of notwithstanding
Alternative spellings
Etymology
Middle English notwithstandinge < a calque from Latin nōn obstante ("not standing")
Pronunciation
Adverb
notwithstanding (not comparable)
- Nevertheless, all the same.
* 1599, Willliam Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor, i 4:
But notwithstanding, man,
I'll do you your master what good I can;
Synonyms
- (nevertheless): all the same, nevertheless, nonetheless
Conjunction
notwithstanding
- Although.
* 1724, Daniel Defoe, Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress, ch. 30:
Upon which Amy had said, that notwithstanding I was angry with her and had used her so hardly for saying something about her of the same kind, yet there was an absolute necessity of securing her and removing her out of the way;
Usage notes
- The conjunction is sometimes expressed in the form notwithstanding that, as in "the front was nearly four miles in advance, notwithstanding that the men marched three abreast" (Dickens, Barnaby Rudge, ch. 49.).
Preposition
notwithstanding
- In spite of, despite.
* 1826, James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicans, ch. 26:
Notwithstanding the high resolution of Hawkeye he fully comprehended all the difficulties and danger he was about to incur.
Usage notes
- Often used after its complement, the etymology of its name notwithstanding.
Synonyms
- (in spite of): despite, in spite of
Derived terms
- notwithstanding clause (Canada)
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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