Notwithstanding

Notwithstanding
Notwithstanding Not`with*stand"ing, prep. Without prevention, or obstruction from or by; in spite of. [1913 Webster]

We gentil women bee Loth to displease any wight, Notwithstanding our great right. --Chaucer's Dream. [1913 Webster]

Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

Note: Notwithstanding was, by Johnson and Webster, viewed as a participle absolute, an English equivalent of the Latin non obstante. Its several meanings, either as preposition, adverb, or conjunction, are capable of being explained in this view. Later grammarians, while admitting that the word was originally a participle, and can be treated as such, prefer to class it as a preposition or disjunctive conjunction. [1913 Webster]

Syn: In spite of; despite.

Usage: {Notwithstanding}, {In spite of}, {Despite}. Of these, only notwithstanding can be used postpositively; as, I will go, the weather notwithstanding. With respect to meaning, these words and phrases are often interchanged, but there is a difference between them, chiefly in strength. Notwithstanding is the weaker term, and simply points to some obstacle that may exist; as, I shall go, notwithstanding the rain. In spite or despite of has reference primarily to active opposition to be encountered from others; as, ``I'll be, in man's despite, a monarch; '' ``I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world.'' --Shak. Hence, these words, when applied to things, suppose greater opposition than notwithstanding. We should say. ''He was thrust rudely out of doors in spite of his entreaties,'' rather than ``notwithstanding''. On the other hand, it would be more civil to say, ``Notwithstanding all you have said, I must still differ with you.'' [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Notwithstanding — Not with*stand ing, adv. or conj. [Originally the participle of withstand, with not prefixed.] Nevertheless; however; although; as, I shall go, notwithstanding it rains. [1913 Webster] I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • notwithstanding — notwithstanding, in spite of, despite are often interchangeable prepositions. Notwithstanding, the least emphatic, merely implies the presence of an obstacle; in spite of, the most emphatic, suggests active opposition or strongly adverse… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • notwithstanding — [nät΄with stan′diŋ, nät΄withstan′diŋ] prep. in spite of [notwithstanding the storm, we flew on ]: sometimes in an inverted construction [ we flew on, the storm notwithstanding] adv. all the same, nevertheless [he must be told, notwithstanding]… …   English World dictionary

  • notwithstanding — I preposition all the same, although, despite, even, however, in any case, in any event, in spite of, nevertheless, none the less, still, yet II index regardless Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • notwithstanding — (prep.) late 14c., notwiþstondynge, from NOT (Cf. not) + prp. of the verb WITHSTAND (Cf. withstand). A loan translation of M.L. non obstante being no hindrance, from ablative of obstans, prp. of obstare stand opposite to (see OBSTACLE (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • notwithstanding — [adv/prep] although, however after all, against, at any rate, but, despite, for all that, howbeit, in any case, in any event, in spite of, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, regardless of, though, to the contrary, withal, yet; concept… …   New thesaurus

  • notwithstanding — ► PREPOSITION ▪ in spite of. ► ADVERB ▪ nevertheless. ► CONJUNCTION ▪ although …   English terms dictionary

  • notwithstanding — 01. We continued our picnic, [notwithstanding] the light rain. 02. Her parents forbade her from going to the party, but she went [notwithstanding]. 03. [Notwithstanding] your concerns about the project, I believe we should proceed immediately. 04 …   Grammatical examples in English

  • notwithstanding — /not widh stan ding, with /, prep. 1. in spite of; without being opposed or prevented by: Notwithstanding a brilliant defense, he was found guilty. She went to the game anyway, doctor s orders notwithstanding. conj. 2. in spite of the fact that;… …   Universalium

  • notwithstanding — [[t]nɒ̱twɪðstæ̱ndɪŋ[/t]] PREP If something is true notwithstanding something else, it is true in spite of that other thing. [FORMAL] He despised William Pitt, notwithstanding the similar views they both held. ADV: n ADV Notwithstanding is also an …   English dictionary

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