All 50 Uses of
however
in
David Copperfield
- However, we returned to those monsters, with fresh wakefulness on my part, and we left their eggs in the sand for the sun to hatch; and we ran away from them, and baffled them by constantly turning, which they were unable to do quickly, on account of their unwieldy make; and we went into the water after them, as natives, and put sharp pieces of timber down their throats; and in short we ran the whole crocodile gauntlet.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Nothing happened, however, worse than morning.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)
- However, I said 'No,' and I added, 'You don't seem to be either, though you say you are,' — for she was walking much too near the brink of a sort of old jetty or wooden causeway we had strolled upon, and I was afraid of her falling over.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)
- Blunderstone Rookery would come, however, in spite of her, when the carrier's horse pleased — and did.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)
- However I might have expressed my comprehension of it at that time, if I had been called upon, I nevertheless did clearly comprehend in my own way, that it was another name for tyranny; and for a certain gloomy, arrogant, devil's humour, that was in them both.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 2) *however = in whatever way
- Nothing, however, was concluded on the subject yet.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- As he repudiated this suggestion, however, with a jerk of his head, and once more confirmed his previous request by saying, with profound gravity, 'Barkis is willin'.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 1)
- I was not considered as being formally received into the school, however, until J. Steerforth arrived.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 1)
- Let me do myself justice, however.†
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)
- No face appeared, however; and being come to the house, and knowing how to open the door, before dark, without knocking, I went in with a quiet, timid step.†
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)
- However, as it must be done, I went down, after two or three false starts half-way, and as many runs back on tiptoe to my own room, and presented myself in the parlour.
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- However, the permission was given, and was never retracted; for when the month was out, Peggotty and I were ready to depart.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- Away we went, however, on our holiday excursion; and the first thing we did was to stop at a church, where Mr. Barkis tied the horse to some rails, and went in with Peggotty, leaving little Em'ly and me alone in the chaise.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- Some few times, however, at long intervals, I was allowed to go there; and then I found out that Mr. Barkis was something of a miser, or as Peggotty dutifully expressed it, was 'a little near', and kept a heap of money in a box under his bed, which he pretended was only full of coats and trousers.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- I discovered, however, that this youth had not been christened by that name, but that it had been bestowed upon him in the warehouse, on account of his complexion, which was pale or mealy.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- Sold it was, however, and carried away in a van; except the bed, a few chairs, and the kitchen table.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- One of our men, however, informing me on my asking him about these places, that they were all close together, I deemed this enough for my object, and resolved to set out at the end of that week.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- There was a defiant manner about this young man, and particularly about the way in which he chewed straw as he spoke to me, that I did not much like; as the bargain was made, however, I took him upstairs to the room I was leaving, and we brought the box down, and put it on his cart.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- My circumstances being so very pressing, however, I said I would take ninepence for it, if he pleased.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)
- Traddles still remained, perhaps, but it was very doubtful; and I had not sufficient confidence in his discretion or good luck, however strong my reliance was on his good nature, to wish to trust him with my situation.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 3)however = regardless of how
- Before I could obey, however, the tinker seized the handkerchief out of my hand with a roughness that threw me away like a feather, and putting it loosely round his own neck, turned upon the woman with an oath, and knocked her down.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- In whatever occupation she was engaged, however interesting to her the conversation in which she was taking part, a donkey turned the current of her ideas in a moment, and she was upon him straight.†
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- My eyes, however, not being so much under control as my tongue, were attracted towards my aunt very often during breakfast.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- This part of the business, however, did not last long; for the young rascal, being expert at a variety of feints and dodges, of which my aunt had no conception, soon went whooping away, leaving some deep impressions of his nailed boots in the flower-beds, and taking his donkey in triumph with him.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)
- 'To answer it in person, however inconvenient the journey,' pursued Mr. Murdstone, 'rather than by letter.'
Chpt 13-15 (definition 3) *however = regardless of how
- There is the truth for your comfort, however you like it.†
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)
- No attempt at defiance being made, however, her face gradually relaxed, and became so pleasant, that I was emboldened to kiss and thank her; which I did with great heartiness, and with both my arms clasped round her neck.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- Every day of his life he had a long sitting at the Memorial, which never made the least progress, however hard he laboured, for King Charles the First always strayed into it, sooner or later, and then it was thrown aside, and another one begun.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 3)however = regardless of how
- When we came into the country road, she permitted him to relax a little, however; and looking at me down in a valley of cushion by her side, asked me whether I was happy?†
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)
- However, that's beside the question.
Chpt 13-15 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- It seemed to me so long, however, since I had been among such boys, or among any companions of my own age, except Mick Walker and Mealy Potatoes, that I felt as strange as ever I have done in my life.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- I had become, in the Murdstone and Grinby time, however short or long it may have been, so unused to the sports and games of boys, that I knew I was awkward and inexperienced in the commonest things belonging to them.†
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- But appearing to remark that Mr. Wickfield went on with his dinner in the same sedate, immovable manner, and that there was no hope of making him relax a muscle of his face, he added: 'However, I have said what I came to say, and, with another apology for this intrusion, I may take myself off.†
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- When he had done it, however, he returned, and they sat together, talking, on the sofa.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- The Doctor, however, who felt, I am sure, that he was making everybody happy, was well pleased, and had no suspicion but that we were all at the utmost height of enjoyment.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- 'It's an affecting thing,' said Mrs. Markleham — 'however it's viewed, it's affecting, to see a fine young man one has known from an infant, going away to the other end of the world, leaving all he knows behind, and not knowing what's before him.†
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- However, it was very soon after the mistake was made of putting some of the trouble out of King Charles's head into my head, that the man first came.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- There he always appeared, however, grey-headed, laughing, and happy; and he never had anything more to tell of the man who could frighten my aunt.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- However, it passed into a custom too; and Mr. Dick, listening with a face shining with pride and pleasure, in his heart of hearts believed the Dictionary to be the most delightful book in the world.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- A tender young cork, however, would have had no more chance against a pair of corkscrews, or a tender young tooth against a pair of dentists, or a little shuttlecock against two battledores, than I had against Uriah and Mrs. Heep.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1)
- She was so happy in it herself, however, and the other was so happy too, that they made the evening fly away as if it were but an hour.
Chpt 19-21 (definition 1)
- Every morning we held exactly this conversation: never any more, and never any less: and yet, invariably, however far I might have been lifted out of myself over-night, and advanced towards maturer years, by Steerforth's companionship, or Mrs. Steerforth's confidence, or Miss Dartle's conversation, in the presence of this most respectable man I became, as our smaller poets sing, 'a boy again'.
Chpt 19-21 (definition 3)however = regardless of how
- At length, however, he got better, though he still panted hard, and was so exhausted that he was obliged to sit on the stool of the shop-desk.
Chpt 19-21 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- By this time, however, I knew that his restless nature and bold spirits delighted to find a vent in rough toil and hard weather, as in any other means of excitement that presented itself freshly to him; so none of his proceedings surprised me.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- However, mad or sane, he tried,' returned Miss Mowcher.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- I then made her, according to certain established regulations from which no deviation, however slight, could ever be permitted, a glass of hot wine and water, and a slice of toast cut into long thin strips.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 3)however = regardless of how
- However much astonished I might be, I was sensible that I had no right to refuse compliance with such a peremptory command.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 3)
- If a client were slow to settle his bill of costs, Mr. Jorkins was resolved to have it paid; and however painful these things might be (and always were) to the feelings of Mr. Spenlow, Mr. Jorkins would have his bond.†
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- These, however, were small drawbacks, and easily forgotten when the cloth was cleared, and the dessert put on the table; at which period of the entertainment the handy young man was discovered to be speechless.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- However, I told him I was T. Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 1)
Definitions:
-
(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.)
-
(2) (however as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
-
(3) (however as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)