not but

English

Conjunction

not but

1. (now rare, archaic) Introducing a subordinate clause, frequently with that: "it is not that (the following clause) is not the case". [17th–19th c.]
   • 1717, Alexander Pope, A Discourse on Pastoral Poetry:

     Spenser's Calendar, in Mr Dryden's opinion, is the most complete work of this kind which any nation has produced ever since the time of Virgil. Not but that he may be thought imperfect in some few points.

   • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:

     [H]e did not fail to be extremely disconcerted at his first entrance into a scene of life to which he was totally a stranger. Not but that he met with abundance of people in the country […] .

   • 1768, Isaac Bickerstaff, Lionel and Clarissa:

     Not but your father has good qualities, and I assure you I remember him a very fine gentleman himself.

   • 1792, Jane Austen, ‘Lesley Castle’, Juvenilia:

     This was the only very severe thing I ever said in my Life; not but that I have often felt myself extremely satirical but it was the only time I ever made my feelings public.

   • 1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter VI, in Great Expectations […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC, page 94:

     I believe you they dread him. Not but what he's artful, even in his defiance of them.

Anagrams

• Button, button