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although

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English althagh, from Old English compound of eall (“all (emphatic)”) + þēah (“though”).

Pronunciation

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Conjunction

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although

  1. Though, even though, in spite of or despite the fact that: introducing a clause that expresses a concession.
    Although it was very muddy, the football game went on.
    The patients, (al)though getting stronger, will not come off their medications.
    • 1661, Daniel Sennertus, Nicholas Culpeper, Abdiah Cole, “Of the Wounds by Gunshot”, in The Art of Chirurgery (Fifth Book of Of Practical Phyſick), Part IV Chap. 20, page 2695:
      And moreover, much leſs can this poyſonouíneſs be produced from the Lead. For although it being long detained in the Body, and there reſolved, likeunto other Metals, (if it contract any ruſtineſs) it may poſſibly do hurt: but yet neverthleſs, that in this its moment any paſſage through the Body there ſhould be any poyſon imprinted by it upon the Body, this can no waybe.
    • 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 78:
      Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness, the consciousness dawning upon him that his eccentricity was not receiving the ovation it merited.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 249:
      The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. […] The second note, the high alarum, not so familiar and always important since it indicates the paramount sin in Man's private calendar, took most of them by surprise although they had been well prepared.
    • 2011 September 29, Jon Smith, “Tottenham 3-1 Shamrock Rovers”, in BBC Sport:
      With the north London derby to come at the weekend, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp opted to rest many of his key players, although he brought back Aaron Lennon after a month out through injury.
    • 2012 March, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist‎[1], volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 14 June 2012, page 128:
      Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.
  2. But, except.
    It was difficult, although not as difficult as we had expected.

Usage notes

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  • When conjunctions, the words “although” and “though” are generally interchangeable:
    Although she smiled, she was angry. = Though she smiled, she was angry.
  • “Although” is usually placed at the beginning of its clause, whereas “though” may occur elsewhere and is the more common term when used to link words or phrases (as in “wiser though poorer”). In certain constructions, only “though” is acceptable:
    Fond though I am of sports, I’d rather not sit through another basketball game.

Synonyms

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Translations

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