English edit

Etymology edit

From the Middle English expression al be it (that), itself shortened from althagh it be that (although it be that), and thus composed from al (completely, entirely) +‎ be (3rd person singular present subjunctive of been (to be)) +‎ it.

Pronunciation edit

Conjunction edit

albeit

  1. Although, despite (it) being.
    Synonyms: as much as, though; see also Thesaurus:even though
    • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vi], page 170:
      VVho are you? tell me for more certainty, / Albeit Ile ſvveare that I do knovv your tongue.
    • 2001, Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl, page 92:
      The stranger had crossed a sacred line. He had mentioned the men’s mothers. Nothing could get him out of a beating now, even the fact that he was obviously a simpleton. Albeit a simpleton with a good vocabulary.
    • 2007 June 17, Ellen Marrus, Houston Chronicle:
      There’s an easy, albeit expensive, way to fix the national crisis in forensic crime labs.
    • 2011 September 24, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67 – 3 Romania”, in BBC Sport[1]:
      Up front, skipper and open-side Lewis Moody looked almost back to full fitness, while England's set-piece was barely troubled, albeit against a Romania side showing 11 changes from that beaten by Argentina earlier in the week.

Usage notes edit

  • The word albeit historically also introduced an independent clause as although does (as in the Shakespearean quote above); however after the Early Modern English period, it ceased to do so, and today only introduces a noun phrase, adjectival phrase, adverbial phrase, or dependent clause.
  • Rarely, albethey is used when the meaning is “despite (the multiple things) being” rather than “despite (the single thing) being”; this is nonstandard, based on a reanalysis of albeit.

Alternative forms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Anagrams edit

Yola edit

Conjunction edit

albeit

  1. Alternative form of abeit
    • 1867, CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS IN THE DIALECT OF FORTH AND BARGY, page 114, lines 7-9:
      and whilke we canna zei, albeit o' 'Governere,' 'Statesman,' an alike.
      and for which we have no words but of 'Governor,' 'Statesman,' &c.

References edit

  • Jacob Poole (1867), William Barnes, editor, A Glossary, With some Pieces of Verse, of the old Dialect of the English Colony in the Baronies of Forth and Bargy, County of Wexford, Ireland, London: J. Russell Smith, page 22