All 12 Uses of
however
in
Leaves of Grass
- Resolute warlike One including and over all, (However high the head of any else that head is over all.)
Chpt 2however = regardless of how
- However sweet these laid-up stores,
Chpt 7
- however convenient this dwelling we cannot remain here,
Chpt 7
- However shelter'd this port
Chpt 7
- however calm these waters we must not anchor here,
Chpt 7
- However welcome the hospitality that surrounds us we are permitted to receive it but a little while.
Chpt 7 *
- To conceive no time, however distant, but what you may reach it and pass it,
Chpt 7
- To look up or down no road but it stretches and waits for you, however long but it stretches and waits for you,
Chpt 7however long = whatever length of time
- All distances of place however wide,
Chpt 19however = regardless of how
- In that thou wouldst not really sell thyself however great the price,
Chpt 24
- While Nature, sovereign of this gnarl'd realm,
Lurking in hidden barbaric grim recesses,
Acknowledging rapport however far remov'd,
(As some old root or soil of earth its last-born flower or fruit,)
Listens well pleas'd.Chpt 24
- It is the central urge in every atom,
(Often unconscious, often evil, downfallen,)
To return to its divine source and origin, however distant,
Latent the same in subject and in object, without one exception.Chpt 34
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 much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
-
(3)
(however as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
-
(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much more rarely (and arguably incorrectly), however can be used to intensify the word how, as when one says "However did you find her?" Grammarians would suggest using two words for that usage: "How ever did you find her?"