Etymologically
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notwithstanding

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 31 October 2026 at 15:28. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • UK: /ˌnɒtwɪðˈstændɪŋ/[1]
  • US: /ˌnɑtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/[1]

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]

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