notwithstanding

English

WOTD – 8 October 2007

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English notwithstandinge, notwithstondyng, natwithstandyng, equivalent to not + withstanding. Compare Middle English notgainstonding, not aȝenstondynge, of similar meaning and formation.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌnɒtwɪðˈstændɪŋ/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌnɑtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
  • (file)
  • (file)
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ændɪŋ

Adverb

notwithstanding (not comparable)

  1. Nevertheless, all the same.
    He, notwithstanding, persisted in his inquiries.
    • c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The Merry VViues of VVindsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene iv]:
      But notwithstanding, man,
      I'll do you your master what good I can;
    • 1789, United States Contitution, Supremacy Clause:
      This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
    • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:notwithstanding.

Synonyms

Translations

Conjunction

notwithstanding

  1. Although; despite; even though.
    • 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;
    • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:notwithstanding.

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. See citations page.).

Translations

Preposition

notwithstanding

  1. In spite of, despite.
    notwithstanding personal preferences, the school district's rules on the topic govern our decision
    • 1675, Richard Allestree, The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety
      Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done.
    • 1826, Cooper, James Fenimore, chapter 26, in The Last of the Mohicans:
      Notwithstanding the high resolution of Hawkeye he fully comprehended all the difficulties and danger he was about to incur.
    • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:notwithstanding.

Synonyms

Postposition

notwithstanding

  1. In spite of, despite.
    in accordance with school district rules on the topic, personal preferences notwithstanding
    • 2014, Richard Rae, "Manchester United humbled by MK Dons after Will Grigg hits double", The Guardian, 26 August 2014:
      Van Gaal’s dismissal of his ability to play a central role notwithstanding, Shinji Kagawa began playing just behind the strikers Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernández.
    • 1679Habeas Corpus Act, section 11
      And be it declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid, that an Habeas Corpus, according to the true intent and meaning of this act, may be directed and seen in any county Palatine, the Cinque Ports, or other privileged places within the Kindgom of England, dominion of Wales, or town of Berwick upon Tweed, and the islands of Jersey and Guernsey; any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.
    • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:notwithstanding.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.