All 50 Uses of
however
in
Moby Dick
- Therefore you must not, in every case at least, take the higgledy-piggledy whale statements, however authentic, in these extracts, for veritable gospel cetology.†
Chpt Extr (definition 2)
- Well, then, however the old sea-captains may order me about—however they may thump and punch me about, I have the satisfaction of knowing that it is all right; that everybody else is one way or other served in much the same way—either in a physical or metaphysical point of view, that is; and so the universal thump is passed round, and all hands should rub each other's shoulder-blades, and be content.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)however = regardless of how
- Well, then, however the old sea-captains may order me about—however they may thump and punch me about, I have the satisfaction of knowing that it is all right; that everybody else is one way or other served in much the same way—either in a physical or metaphysical point of view, that is; and so the universal thump is passed round, and all hands should rub each other's shoulder-blades, and be content.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)
- However, I picked myself up and hearing a loud voice within, pushed on and opened a second, interior door.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- But by dint of much and earnest contemplation, and oft repeated ponderings, and especially by throwing open the little window towards the back of the entry, you at last come to the conclusion that such an idea, however wild, might not be altogether unwarranted.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)however = regardless of how
- I observed, however, that one of them held somewhat aloof, and though he seemed desirous not to spoil the hilarity of his shipmates by his own sober face, yet upon the whole he refrained from making as much noise as the rest.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- In a few minutes, however, he was missed by his shipmates, and being, it seems, for some reason a huge favourite with them, they raised a cry of "Bulkington!"
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)
- This accomplished, however, he turned round—when, good heavens! what a sight!
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)
- However, I had never been in the South Seas; and perhaps the sun there produced these extraordinary effects upon the skin.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)
- However, a good laugh is a mighty good thing, and rather too scarce a good thing; the more's the pity.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 2)
- However, hat and coat and overshoes were one by one removed, and hung up in a little space in an adjacent corner; when, arrayed in a decent suit, he quietly approached the pulpit.
Chpt 7-9 (definition 2)
- At my first glimpse of the pulpit, it had not escaped me that however convenient for a ship, these joints in the present instance seemed unnecessary.
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)however = regardless of how
- For the nonce, however, he proposed to sail about, and sow his wild oats in all four oceans.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Next morning, Monday, after disposing of the embalmed head to a barber, for a block, I settled my own and comrade's bill; using, however, my comrade's money.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- However, by dint of beating about a little in the dark, and now and then knocking up a peaceable inhabitant to inquire the way, we at last came to something which there was no mistaking.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- However, a warm savory steam from the kitchen served to belie the apparently cheerless prospect before us.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- However, it is always as well to have a look at him before irrevocably committing yourself into his hands.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- However, my thoughts were at length carried in other directions, so that for the present dark Ahab slipped my mind.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- So Queequeg and I got down our traps, resolving, however, to sleep ashore till the last.
Chpt 19-21 (definition 2)
- "No need of profane words, however great the hurry, Peleg," said Bildad, "but away with thee, friend Starbuck, and do our bidding."
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)however = regardless of how
- I was comforting myself, however, with the thought that in pious Bildad might be found some salvation, spite of his seven hundred and seventy-seventh lay; when I felt a sudden sharp poke in my rear, and turning round, was horrified at the apparition of Captain Peleg in the act of withdrawing his leg from my immediate vicinity.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Certain I am, however, that a king's head is solemnly oiled at his coronation, even as a head of salad.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)
- As yet, however, the sperm whale, scientific or poetic, lives not complete in any literature.
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)
- However contracted, that definition is the result of expanded meditation.†
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)
- Of these so called Whalebone whales, there would seem to be several varieties, most of which, however, are little known.
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- In connection with this appellative of "Whalebone whales," it is of great importance to mention, that however such a nomenclature may be convenient in facilitating allusions to some kind of whales, yet it is in vain to attempt a clear classification of the Leviathan, founded upon either his baleen, or hump, or fin, or teeth; notwithstanding that those marked parts or features very obviously seem better adapted to afford the basis for a regular system of Cetology than any other detached…†
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)
- My own opinion is, that however this one-sided horn may really be used by the Narwhale—however that may be—it would certainly be very convenient to him for a folder in reading pamphlets.†
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)
- My own opinion is, that however this one-sided horn may really be used by the Narwhale—however that may be—it would certainly be very convenient to him for a folder in reading pamphlets.†
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)
- Literally this word means Fat-Cutter; usage, however, in time made it equivalent to Chief Harpooneer.
Chpt 31-33 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Whether he thought the owners of the ship denied it to him, on account of its clotting his clear, sunny complexion; or whether he deemed that, on so long a voyage in such marketless waters, butter was at a premium, and therefore was not for him, a subaltern; however it was, Flask, alas! was a butterless man!†
Chpt 34-36 (definition 3)
- But neither great Washington, nor Napoleon, nor Nelson, will answer a single hail from below, however madly invoked to befriend by their counsels the distracted decks upon which they gaze; however it may be surmised, that their spirits penetrate through the thick haze of the future, and descry what shoals and what rocks must be shunned.†
Chpt 34-36 (definition 2)
- But neither great Washington, nor Napoleon, nor Nelson, will answer a single hail from below, however madly invoked to befriend by their counsels the distracted decks upon which they gaze; however it may be surmised, that their spirits penetrate through the thick haze of the future, and descry what shoals and what rocks must be shunned.†
Chpt 34-36 (definition 2)
- In shape, the Sleet's crow's-nest is something like a large tierce or pipe; it is open above, however, where it is furnished with a movable side-screen to keep to windward of your head in a hard gale.
Chpt 34-36 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- And however the general experiences in the fishery may amend such reports as these; yet in their full terribleness, even to the bloodthirsty item of Povelson, the superstitious belief in them is, in some vicissitudes of their vocation, revived in the minds of the hunters.†
Chpt 40-42 (definition 3)
- But though similar disasters, however little bruited ashore, were by no means unusual in the fishery; yet, in most instances, such seemed the White Whale's infernal aforethought of ferocity, that every dismembering or death that he caused, was not wholly regarded as having been inflicted by an unintelligent agent.
Chpt 40-42 (definition 1)however = regardless of how
- …into more sufferable latitudes, the ship, with mild stun'sails spread, floated across the tranquil tropics, and, to all appearances, the old man's delirium seemed left behind him with the Cape Horn swells, and he came forth from his dark den into the blessed light and air; even then, when he bore that firm, collected front, however pale, and issued his calm orders once again; and his mates thanked God the direful madness was now gone; even then, Ahab, in his hidden self, raved on.†
Chpt 40-42 (definition 2)
- Winding far down from within the very heart of this spiked Hotel de Cluny where we here stand—however grand and wonderful, now quit it;—and take your way, ye nobler, sadder souls, to those vast Roman halls of Thermes; where far beneath the fantastic towers of man's upper earth, his root of grandeur, his whole awful essence sits in bearded state; an antique buried beneath antiquities, and throned on torsoes!†
Chpt 40-42 (definition 2)
- Can we, then, by the citation of some of those instances wherein this thing of whiteness—though for the time either wholly or in great part stripped of all direct associations calculated to impart to it aught fearful, but nevertheless, is found to exert over us the same sorcery, however modified;—can we thus hope to light upon some chance clue to conduct us to the hidden cause we seek?†
Chpt 40-42 (definition 2)
- But in the cautious comprehensiveness and unloitering vigilance with which Ahab threw his brooding soul into this unfaltering hunt, he would not permit himself to rest all his hopes upon the one crowning fact above mentioned, however flattering it might be to those hopes; nor in the sleeplessness of his vow could he so tranquillize his unquiet heart as to postpone all intervening quest.†
Chpt 43-45 (definition 2)
- Secondly: It is well known in the Sperm Whale Fishery, however ignorant the world ashore may be of it, that there have been several memorable historical instances where a particular whale in the ocean has been at distant times and places popularly cognisable.†
Chpt 43-45 (definition 3)
- Why such a whale became thus marked was not altogether and originally owing to his bodily peculiarities as distinguished from other whales; for however peculiar in that respect any chance whale may be, they soon put an end to his peculiarities by killing him, and boiling him down into a peculiarly valuable oil.†
Chpt 43-45 (definition 1)
- One reason perhaps is, that not one in fifty of the actual disasters and deaths by casualties in the fishery, ever finds a public record at home, however transient and immediately forgotten that record.†
Chpt 43-45 (definition 2)
- The ship, however, was by no means a large one: a Russian craft built on the Siberian coast, and purchased by my uncle after bartering away the vessel in which he sailed from home.
Chpt 43-45 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- He knew, for example, that however magnetic his ascendency in some respects was over Starbuck, yet that ascendency did not cover the complete spiritual man any more than mere corporeal superiority involves intellectual mastership; for to the purely spiritual, the intellectual but stand in a sort of corporeal relation.†
Chpt 46-48 (definition 2)
- For however eagerly and impetuously the savage crew had hailed the announcement of his quest; yet all sailors of all sorts are more or less capricious and unreliable—they live in the varying outer weather, and they inhale its fickleness—and when retained for any object remote and blank in the pursuit, however promissory of life and passion in the end, it is above all things requisite that temporary interests and employments should intervene and hold them healthily suspended for the…†
Chpt 46-48 (definition 1)
- For however eagerly and impetuously the savage crew had hailed the announcement of his quest; yet all sailors of all sorts are more or less capricious and unreliable——they live in the varying outer weather, and they inhale its fickleness——and when retained for any object remote and blank in the pursuit, however promissory of life and passion in the end, it is above all things requisite that temporary interests and employments should intervene and hold them healthily suspended for the final dash.†
Chpt 46-48 (definition 1)
- However, nothing dispirits, and nothing seems worth while disputing.
Chpt 49-51 (definition 2)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Nor with the immemorial superstition of their race, and in accordance with the preternaturalness, as it seemed, which in many things invested the Pequod, were there wanting some of the seamen who swore that whenever and wherever descried; at however remote times, or in however far apart latitudes and longitudes, that unnearable spout was cast by one self-same whale; and that whale, Moby Dick.
Chpt 49-51 (definition 1)however = regardless of how
- Nor with the immemorial superstition of their race, and in accordance with the preternaturalness, as it seemed, which in many things invested the Pequod, were there wanting some of the seamen who swore that whenever and wherever descried; at however remote times, or in however far apart latitudes and longitudes, that unnearable spout was cast by one self-same whale; and that whale, Moby Dick.
Chpt 49-51 (definition 1)
- …whose exported furs give robes to Tartar Emperors; they mirror the paved capitals of Buffalo and Cleveland, as well as Winnebago villages; they float alike the full-rigged merchant ship, the armed cruiser of the State, the steamer, and the beech canoe; they are swept by Borean and dismasting blasts as direful as any that lash the salted wave; they know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew.†
Chpt 52-54 (definition 3)
Definitions:
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(1) (however as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
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(2) (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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(3) (however as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way