3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  I  will  surely  rend  the  kingdom  from  thee,  and  will  give 
  it  to  thy  servant.  Notwithstanding,  in  thy  days  I  will 
  not  do  it  --1  Kings  xi 
  11,  12. 
 
  They  which  honor  the  law  as  an  image  of  the  wisdom  of 
  God  himself,  are  notwithstanding,  to  know  that  the 
  same  had  an  end  in  Christ.  --Hooker. 
 
  You  did  wisely  and  honestly  too  notwithstanding  She  is 
  the  greatest  beauty  in  the  parish.  --Fielding. 
 
  {Notwithstanding  that},  notwithstanding;  although. 
 
  These  days  were  ages  to  him  notwithstanding  that  he 
  was  basking  in  the  smiles  of  the  pretty  Mary.  --W. 
  Irving. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Notwithstanding  \Not`with*stand"ing\,  prep. 
  Without  prevention,  or  obstruction  from  or  by  in  spite  of 
 
  We  gentil  women  bee  Loth  to  displease  any  wight, 
  Notwithstanding  our  great  right  --Chaucer's 
  Dream. 
 
  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 
 
  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. 
 
  Syn:  In  spite  of  despite. 
 
  Usage:  {Notwithstanding},  {In  spite  of},  {Despite}.  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.'' 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  notwithstanding 
  adv  :  despite  anything  to  the  contrary  (usually  following  a 
  concession);  "although  I'm  a  little  afraid,  however  I'd 
  like  to  try  it";  "while  we  disliked  each  other 
  nevertheless  we  agreed";  "he  was  a  stern  yet  fair 
  master";  "granted  that  it  is  dangerous,  all  the  same  I 
  still  want  to  go"  [syn:  {however},  {nevertheless},  {withal}, 
  {still},  {yet},  {all  the  same},  {even  so},  {nonetheless}] 

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