albeit, conj.
(ɔːlˈbiːɪt)
[prop. a phrase all be it (that); in full, all though it be that. This is only a particular instance of all with a verb in subjunctive (see all adv. 10), in which the conjunctive phrase becomes a quasi-word. The nom. pron. it was also often dropped, whence the shorter all be, albe. Before the synthesis was complete, all be it had, in past tense, all were it.]
1. Even though it be (that); admitting (that).
| c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714) 30 Albeit that the Frenche Kyng's Revenuz be..miche gretter. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turkes (1621) 1150 Albeit that a great number of them were slain, yet fell they out againe. 1862 C. Stretton Chequered Life I. 125 From that day to this we have never met—albeit that he has had my best wishes. |
† b. pa. tense. Even though it were. Obs.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. (1868) 5 Al were it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. |
2. That omitted: Even though it be that; even though, although, though.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 1359, I may well leese a worde on yow, or letter, Albeit I shal be never the better. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 530 He had gret fere, Albut þaw hit ner no nede. 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 1557, 688/2 All bee it he coulde not saye naye. 1611 Shakes. Cymb. ii. iii. 61 A worthy Fellow, Albeit he comes on angry purpose now. 1805 Southey Madoc in W. i. Wks. V. 8, I shall live to see the day, Albeit the number of my years well nigh Be full. 1878 Lever Jack Hinton xxvi. 184 Their voices, too, albeit the accent was provincial, were soft and musical. |
3. In contr. clause: Even though, even if, although.
| 1795 Southey Joan of Arc i. 365 And I am well content to dwell in peace, Albeit inglorious. 1847 Thackeray Van. Fair xix. (1879) I. 198 When a certain (albeit uncertain) morrow is in view. 1853 Kane Grinnel Exp. xxvii. (1856) 225 The sun, albeit from a lowly altitude, shone out in full brightness. |