notwithstanding

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English notwithstondinge, also notwiþstondynge,^[2][3] formed from Middle English not + withstondinge, the present participle of withstonden (“to resist, withstand”).^[4][2][5][6] It was probably modelled on Anglo-Norman non obstant and its source Medieval Latin nōn obstante (“being no hindrance”),^[4][7][8] of which Barnhart, Etymonline and the American Heritage Dictionary call it a loan translation.^[6][3][5] The Latin phrase is the ablative of obstāns, the present participle of obstō (“to stand opposite to, hinder”), the source of obstacle.^[3] In withstand the prefix keeps the old sense "against" of with.^[3] Gower has the related form nought withstanding.^[9]

Earliest recorded meaning

In spite of; not prevented by: probably about 1378, in Wycliffe's writings, according to Barnhart;^[6] the OED's first quotation is from about 1400, in the Book to a Mother.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It began as a participle used in an absolute phrase, "notwithstanding this", in which the noun is really the subject: "this not standing in the way".^[10][11] Etymonline calls it a negative present participle used as a quasi-preposition, originally written as two words.^[3] When a clause took the place of the noun it passed into a conjunction, "although" (before 1420, in Lydgate's Troy Book), and when it stood alone it became an adverb, "nevertheless" (1425, in the Rolls of Parliament).^[10][6][4] From 1490, in Caxton's Eneydos, it could also follow its noun.^[4] In Scotland the form notwithstanding of was used from 1597 to the 19th century.^[4] Johnson (1755) held that it was properly a participial adjective answering to Latin non obstante, best used with a noun ("he is rich notwithstanding his loss"), and less properly with a clause.^[12]

Timeline

• c. 1378 – preposition, in spite of, in Wycliffe's writings.^[6]
• c. 1400 – preposition, OED's first quotation.^[4]
• c. 1425 – with a that-clause, and as a conjunction, although.^[4][6]
• 1425 – adverb, nevertheless, in the Rolls of Parliament.^[4][6]
• 1490 – used after its noun, in Caxton's Eneydos.^[4]
• 1597–1844 – Scottish notwithstanding of, in spite of (now obsolete).^[4]
• 1600 – "you are welcome notwithstanding", in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.^[2]

Meanings

Preposition

1. In spite of; despite: Notwithstanding the rain, the match went ahead.^[13][2][4]
2. Placed after its noun, with the same sense: These objections notwithstanding, the plan was approved.^[13][4]

Adverb

1. Nevertheless; all the same: The work was hard; she enjoyed it notwithstanding.^[13][2][4]

Conjunction

1. In spite of the fact that; although.^[13][2][4]

Related words

• withstand
• obstacle
• despite

Usage notes

Dictionary.com notes that notwithstanding, despite and in spite of are nearly interchangeable, but that notwithstanding suggests a hindrance of some kind, despite active opposition, and in spite of strong opposing forces.^[14] The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, made the same point: notwithstanding draws attention to an obstacle, while in spite of and despite point to active opposition.^[3] Collins notes that the preposition is often placed straight after its noun.^[13]

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (online 2024), 5th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
6. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
7. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
8. ^ Stevenson, Angus, ed. (2010), Oxford Dictionary of English, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
9. ^ Skeat, Walter W. (1911), A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, new ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
10. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
11. ^ Weekley, Ernest (1921), An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, London: John Murray
12. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
13. ^ a b c d e Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
14. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House