albeit English · revision 15041

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1374}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɔːlˈbiː.ɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a contraction of the Middle English phrase [[m|enm|al be it|t=although it be (that)]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[all]], used as an adverb, the subjunctive [[be]] and [[it]].^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) The first meaning was “let it entirely be (that)”.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Before 1325, in Cursor Mundi, in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The OED's past-tense form, ''al were it'', even though it were, is from about 1374, as in Chaucer.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Used without a following ''that'', even though, it is from about 1385,^(OED 1989) and in a contracted clause, as in ''albeit in an edited form'', from 1795.^(OED 1989) Its relative [[howbeit]] is formed the same way.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1325 – al be it.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1374 – al were it (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1385 – albeit, though.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1795 – albeit with a phrase.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Conjunction===

+ # Even though; although: ''published, albeit in an edited form''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[howbeit]]

+ * [[sobeit]]

+ * [[although]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}