etymology - How does 'notwithstanding' mean 'in spite of'?



notwithstanding = {preposition} In spite of
{adverb} = Nevertheless; in spite of this:


Etymonline: late 14c., notwiþstondynge, from not + present participle of the verb withstand.
A loan-translation of Medieval Latin non obstante "being no hindrance," from ablative of obstans, present participle of obstare "stand opposite to" (see obstacle).
As an adverb and as a conjunction from early 15c.


withstand = [with object] 1. Remain undamaged or unaffected by; resisting :



How can I understand 'notwithstanding', only by thinking in terms of the root withstand?
I try to rewrite notwithstanding below. Did I guess the right definition of withstand above?


1. Notwithstanding X, Y happens.
2. = NOT withstanding X, Y happens.
3. = Failing to withstand X, Y happens.
(In 3, Y is suppressed in the adjunct. Expand it as: Y, failing to withstand X, Y happens.)



Answer



The OP definition of withstand is correct, but it has a passive construction that visually confuses the 4-sentence formulation. In all four of the OP sentences, the meaning is correct:


Y happens in spite of X


but the 4 sentences have created an optical illusion, because the meaning of the sentences is not tabulated in columns as the OP erroneously assumes.


I propose the following syllogism to avoid confusing withstand and notwithstanding:



Y is happening;


X cannot resist sufficiently;


Therefore, Y happens!




We have several different formulas to express that logical outcome using the word notwithstanding, and each one can be tested for accuracy:



  • As a preposition: "In spite of X, Y happens," yielding a real-life use of notwithstanding:



Notwithstanding Harry's insults, I will smile.


My smile (Y) is happening...Harry's insults (X) cannot resist sufficiently...therefore, my smile happens!






Weather notwithstanding, the parade will happen.


The parade (Y) is happening...the weather (X) cannot resist sufficiently...Therefore, the parade happens!





  • As an adverb: "X happens, nevertheless, Y happens," yielding a real-life use of notwithstanding:



"Jesse cried; notwithstanding, the policeman wrote the citation."


The policeman (Y) is writing the citation...Jesse crying (X) cannot resist sufficiently...therefore, the policeman writes the citation!



We can transpose the word order of an adverbial notwithstanding with precisely the same meaning.



"Jesse cried; the policeman wrote the citation notwithstanding."


The policeman (Y) is writing the citation...Jesse crying (X) cannot resist sufficiently...therefore, the policeman writes the citation!




Conclusion:


The general meaning of notwithstanding is always:


Y happens in spite of X


even when the word order prevents that specific phrasing.


If you absolutely insist on thinking of it in terms of 'withstand' then it is simply,


Y withstands X


, and either of the definitions for 'withstand' can be inserted.


NB: Does it seem like notwithstanding is approaching its natural lexical death? http://grammarist.com/usage/notwithstanding/


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