All 32 Uses of
however
in
Frankenstein
- This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its homeward voyage from Archangel; more fortunate than I, who may not see my native land, perhaps, for many years. I am, however, in good spirits:
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- We were, as we believed, many hundred miles from any land; but this apparition seemed to denote that it was not, in reality, so distant as we had supposed. Shut in, however, by ice, it was impossible to follow his track, which we had observed with the greatest attention.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)
- ...and before night the ice broke and freed our ship. We, however, lay to until the morning, fearing to encounter in the dark those large loose masses which float about after the breaking up of the ice.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)
- I profited of this time to rest for a few hours. In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel, apparently talking to someone in the sea.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)
- "Before I come on board your vessel," said he, "will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?"
You may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed to me from a man on the brink of destruction and to whom I should have supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not have exchanged for the most precious wealth he earth can afford. I replied, however, that we were on a voyage of discovery towards the northern pole.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)
- ...I would not allow him to be tormented by their idle curiosity, in a state of body and mind whose restoration evidently depended upon entire repose. Once, however, the lieutenant asked why he had come so far upon the ice in so strange a vehicle.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)
- The labours of men of genius, however erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind.
Chpt 3 (definition 2)however = regardless of how
- I felt this delay very bitterly... The winter, however, was spent cheerfully;
Chpt 6 (definition 1) *however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- Food, however, became scarce, and I often spent the whole day searching in vain for a few acorns to assuage the pangs of hunger.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)
- I greedily devoured the remnants of the shepherd's breakfast, which consisted of bread, cheese, milk, and wine; the latter, however, I did not like.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)
- ...a low hovel, quite bare, and making a wretched appearance after the palaces I had beheld in the village. This hovel however, joined a cottage of a neat and pleasant appearance, but after my late dearly bought experience, I dared not enter it.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)
- My place of refuge was constructed of wood.... No wood, however, was placed on the earth, which formed the floor, but it was dry; and although the wind entered it by innumerable chinks, I found it an agreeable asylum from the snow and rain.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)
- Here, then, I retreated and lay down happy to have found a shelter, however miserable, from the inclemency of the season, and still more from the barbarity of man.
Chpt 11 (definition 2)however = regardless of how
- ...I retired... I had first, however, provided for my sustenance for that day by a loaf of coarse bread, which I purloined, and a cup with which I could drink more conveniently than from my hand of the pure water which flowed by my retreat.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- ...I was unable to discover any clue by which I could unravel the mystery of their reference. By great application, however, and after having remained during the space of several revolutions of the moon in my hovel, I discovered the names that were given to some of the most familiar objects of discourse; I learned and applied the words, 'fire,' 'milk,' 'bread,' and 'wood.'
Chpt 12 (definition 1)
- ...he found on the paper signs for speech which he understood, and I ardently longed to comprehend these also; but how was that possible when I did not even understand the sounds for which they stood as signs? I improved, however, sensibly in this science, but not sufficiently to follow up any kind of conversation, although I applied my whole mind to the endeavour, for…
Chpt 12 (definition 1)however = in spite of that
- ...and the Arabian was left alone, unacquainted with the language of the country and utterly ignorant of the customs of the world. She fell, however, into good hands.
Chpt 14 (definition 1)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- I did not pretend to enter into the merits of the case.... As I read, however, I applied much personally to my own feelings and condition.
Chpt 15 (definition 1)
- Could they turn from their door one, however monstrous, who solicited their compassion and friendship?
Chpt 15 (definition 2) *however = regardless of how
- ...I did not understand what they said, as they spoke the language of the country, which differed from that of my protectors. Soon after, however, Felix approached with another man;
Chpt 16 (definition 1)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- I generally rested during the day and travelled only when I was secured by night from the view of man. One morning, however, finding that my path lay through a deep wood, I ventured to continue my journey after the sun had risen;
Chpt 16 (definition 1)
- If you feel thus, we shall assuredly be happy, however present events may cast a gloom over us.
Chpt 18 (definition 1)
- You are younger; yet I do not suppose, possessed as you are of a competent fortune, that an early marriage would at all interfere with any future plans of honour and utility that you may have formed. Do not suppose, however, that I wish to dictate happiness to you or that a delay on your part would cause me any serious uneasiness.
Chpt 18 (definition 1)
- ...an old benevolent man with calm and mild manners. He looked upon me, however, with some degree of severity, and...
Chpt 21 (definition 1)
- I believe that it were better for you if you were dead, for I fancy it will go hard with you! However, that's none of my business; I am sent to nurse you and get you well;
Chpt 21 (definition 1)
- There were no horses to be procured, and.... However, it was hardly morning, and I might reasonably hope to arrive by night.
Chpt 23 (definition 1)however = in spite of that
- ...I gained a clear conception of my miseries and situation and was then released from my prison. Liberty, however, had been a useless gift to me, had I not, as I awakened to reason, at the same time awakened to revenge.
Chpt 23 (definition 1)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- It is indeed a tale so strange that I should fear you would not credit it were there not something in truth which, however wonderful, forces conviction.
Chpt 23 (definition 2)however = regardless of how
- ...when he was called upon to act officially in consequence, the whole tide of his incredulity returned. He, however, answered mildly, "I would willingly afford you every aid in your pursuit, but the creature of whom you speak appears to have powers which would put all my exertions to defiance."
Chpt 23 (definition 1)however = in spite of that
- His tale is connected and told with an appearance of the simplest truth, yet I own to you that the letters of Felix and Safie, which he showed me, and the apparition of the monster seen from our ship, brought to me a greater conviction of the truth of his narrative than his asseverations, however earnest and connected.
Chpt 24 (definition 2)however = regardless of how
- They know our infantine dispositions, which, however they may be afterwards modified, are never eradicated; and they can judge of our actions with more certain conclusions as to the integrity of our motives.
Chpt 24 (definition 1)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- A sister or a brother can never, unless indeed such symptoms have been shown early, suspect the other of fraud or false dealing, when another friend, however strongly he may be attached, may, in spite of himself, be contemplated with suspicion.
Chpt 24 (definition 2)however = regardless of how
Definitions:
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(1) (however as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
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(2) (however as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)