not the less, adv.
Also Sc. 5–6 nochtþeles(e, 6 -theles(s.
[See the separate words, and cf. na-, ne-, notheless. The Sc. forms properly belong to nought adv.]
Nevertheless; nonetheless.
| α c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints i. (Peter) 605 Þe quhilk petir nocht-þe-lese Conuertit. Ibid. xv. (Barnabas) 137 Debonare wes he nocht-þe-les. 1533 Bellenden Livy i. vi. (S.T.S.) I. 38 Nochtþeles, þe cumpany of horsmen..was Impediment. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. Prol. 14 Carik nochttheless hes ane monasterie called Croce Regal. |
| β 1535 Coverdale Dan. v. 17 Yet not thelesse, I wil rede the wrytynge. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 41 Bot not the les, Abraham this answer maid. 1637–50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 301 Nottheles, the Bishops being so preferred to high places [etc.]. 1639 Spottiswood Hist. Ch. Scot. vii. (1677) 519 Nottheless going on in his wonted course, he sent his base Son..into the Country. |
| 1839 Kemble Resid. Georgia (1863) 11 They are free from the chain,..but they are not the less under a ban. a 1869 Conington Misc. Writ. I. 213 It is determined, not the less, by the causes which were appointed [etc.]. |