| 释义 |
however contr. howe'er, adv.|haʊˈɛvə(r), haʊˈɛə(r)|
[f. how adv. + ever adv. 8 e.
In senses 2 and 3, however is the relic of an original subordinate clause (like those of sense 1), such as ‘however this may be’.]
1. Introducing a subordinate clause, sometimes with yet in the principal clause:
a. qualifying a verb: In whatever manner, by whatever means.
c1380Wyclif Wks. (1880) 330 Hou-euer antecrist glauer, he letteþ not god to do his wille. a1440Sir Degrev. 864, I shal juste with that duke, Or I gete a rebuke, How ever that hyt be! 1605Shakes. Macb. iv. i. 51, I coniure you..(How ere you come to know it) answer me. 1709Addison Tatler No. 119 ⁋1, I am still in Doubt, whether it passed in my sleeping or waking Thoughts. However it was, I fancied that my good Genius stood at my Bed's-Head. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 213 Men of Chios, Thurii, or however and whatever you call yourselves.
b. qualifying an adj. (or pa. pple.) or adv.: To whatever extent. Hence often used ellipt. with an adj. or adv. alone.
c1400Apol. Loll. 7 A bodily þing of how euer litil price howiþ not to be bout, but wiþ þis wisdam. c1586C'tess Pembroke Ps. lxxvi. iv, The most ragefull..thou, how ever furious Shalt oft restraine. 1605Shakes. Lear ii. i. 118, I shall serue you Sir truely, how euer else. 1707Freind Peterborow's Cond. Sp. 230 He wou'd yet endeavour, how⁓ever our circumstances seem'd desperate, to secure the kingdom of Valencia. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. vi, However dark the habitation of the mole to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apartment sufficiently lightsome. 1845M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 25 His innocence, however manifest, could not save him. 1885Times 25 May 9 Trawlers will, of course, protest against any interference, however slight.
c. However much; notwithstanding that; although. Obs. or arch.
1591Spenser Teares Muses 523 How ever yet they mee despise and spight, I feede on sweet contentment of my thought. 1605Shakes. Lear iv. ii. 67 Howe'er thou art a fiend, A woman's shape doth shield thee. 1690Locke Hum. Und. ii. viii. §3 The Idea of Black is no less positive in his Mind, than that of White, however the Cause of that Colour in the external Object may be only a Privation. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 175 ⁋4 However those who have passed through half the life of man, may now wonder [etc.]. 1846Trench Huls. Lect. Ser. ii. iii. 189 Humanity, however it craved a God for its deliverer, yet craved just as earnestly a man.
†2. In any case, at all events, at any rate. Obs. (Now merged in 3.)
1591Shakes. Two Gent. i. i. 34 If hap'ly won, perhaps a haplesse gaine; If lost, why then a grieuous labour won; How euer: but a folly bought with wit. a1616Beaum. & Fl. Bonduca v. iii, A child that must have died however. 1736Butler Anal. i. iv. 109 Till we know the Whole, or, how⁓ever, much more of the Case. 1790Paley Horæ Paul. Rom. i. 11 At the same time with, or soon however following, the contribution..made in Achaia.
3. Qualifying a sentence or clause as a whole: For all that, nevertheless, notwithstanding; yet; = but at the beginning of the sentence.
1613Shakes. Hen. VIII, iv. i. 106 All the Land knowes that: How euer, yet there is no great breach. 1671Milton Samson 601, I, however, Must not omit a father's timely care. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. x, This curiosity of theirs, however, was attended with very serious effects. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. 27 However, they did not think such bold changes within their commission. 1861M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 47 It has been even said that this church was built by the Germans, which however was not the case. 1865Lubbock Preh. Times 19 Bronze arrows, however, are not very common in Northern Europe.
†4. In any way whatsoever; at all. Obs.
1673Marvell Reh. Transp. II. 139 All Laws however are but Probationers of time. 1740J. Clarke Educ. Youth (ed. 3) 60, I cannot but be much of Mr. Locke's Mind with respect to versifying however.
5. Interrogative (and conjunctive): How, in any circumstances or way whatever? (See ever adv. 8 d.) colloq.
[1607R. C. tr. Estienne's World Wonders 240, I shal desire him to consider how ever it was possible.] 1871B. Taylor Faust (1875) I. xiii. 147 However is it, such A man can think and know so much? Mod. However do you manage that?
6. Used by itself, or followed by points of suspension, as an interjection, or as a formula concluding, introducing, or modifying an utterance in some contextual way.
1876Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. II. iv. xxxii. 319, I have not yet written a word... And I told the girls to leave it to me. However! 1901Beerbohm Variety of Things (1928) 217 [I] doubt whether my creative power in caricature can be quite so strong as I had supposed. However... 1936‘N. Blake’ Thou Shell of Death viii. 137 Comes of givin' a vote to every hayseed and short-weight grocer in the ― However, hrrumph, where was I? 1964D. Warner Death of Dreamer i. i. 9 We don't want to know where the stuff comes from but where it goes to. However!.. 1966I. Jefferies House Surgeon i. 11, I..said, ‘However. Not to interrupt what you were asking me.’ 1968M. Woodhouse Rock Baby vii. 66 ‘Our component reliability was very high indeed during trials. However.’ ‘Go on,’ I said. |