howbeit

howbeit

English

WOTD – 10 May 2009

Etymology

how +‎ be +‎ it

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /haʊˈbiː.ɪt/
• (US)

  (file)

Conjunction

howbeit

1. (archaic) Although.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, “Tom Jones”, in The Novelist’s Magazine, volume III, London: Harrison and Co., published 1781, page 302:

     Howbeit we have not yet been able to overtake young Madam, we may account it ſome good fortune, that we have hitherto traced her courſe aright.

Translations

although

Czech: ačkoli (cs)

Scottish Gaelic: ge

Adverb

howbeit (not comparable)

1. (archaic) Be that as it may; nevertheless.
   • 1607, William Shakespeare, Coriolanus, act 1, scene 9,

     I will goe waſh : /And when my Face is faire, you ſhall perceiue / Whether I bluſh, or no : howbeit, I thanke you, / I meane to ſtride your Steed, and at all times / To vnder-creſt your good Addition, / To th’ faireneſſe of my power.

   • 1871, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Through Death to Love, lines 7-10:

     Our hearts discern wild images of Death,

     Shadows and shoals that edge eternity.

     Howbeit athwart Death's imminent shade doth soar

     One Power

Translations

be that as it may

Czech: nicméně (cs) French: quoi qu'il en soit (fr), néanmoins (fr) German: gleichwohl (de)

Russian: те́м не ме́нее (ru) (tém ne méneje) Scottish Gaelic: gidheadh Swedish: hur som helst (sv)