a. Void of understanding. [ Obs. ] Bp. Pearson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. existing since a time in the distant past; as, long-standing policies. [ prenominal ]
Syn. -- longtime(prenominal). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. Mistake of the meaning; error; misconception. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disagreement; difference of opinion; dissension; quarrel. “Misunderstandings among friends.” Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

prep. Without prevention, or obstruction from or by; in spite of. [ 1913 Webster ]

We gentil women bee
Loth to displease any wight,
Notwithstanding our great right. Chaucer's Dream. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Notwithstanding was, by Johnson and Webster, viewed as a participle absolute, an English equivalent of the Latin non obstante. Its several meanings, either as preposition, adverb, or conjunction, are capable of being explained in this view. Later grammarians, while admitting that the word was originally a participle, and can be treated as such, prefer to class it as a preposition or disjunctive conjunction. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- In spite of; despite. -- Notwithstanding, In spite of, Despite. Of these, only notwithstanding can be used postpositively; as, I will go, the weather notwithstanding. With respect to meaning, these words and phrases are often interchanged, but there is a difference between them, chiefly in strength. Notwithstanding is the weaker term, and simply points to some obstacle that may exist; as, I shall go, notwithstanding the rain. In spite or despite of has reference primarily to active opposition to be encountered from others; as, “I'll be, in man's despite, a monarch; ” “I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world.” Shak. Hence, these words, when applied to things, suppose greater opposition than notwithstanding. We should say. ”He was thrust rudely out of doors in spite of his entreaties, ” rather than “notwithstanding”. On the other hand, it would be more civil to say, “Notwithstanding all you have said, I must still differ with you.” [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

adv. or conj. [ Originally the participle of withstand, with not prefixed. ] Nevertheless; however; although; as, I shall go, notwithstanding it rains. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it. 1 Kings xi. 11, 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

They which honor the law as an image of the wisdom of God himself, are, notwithstanding, to know that the same had an end in Christ. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

You did wisely and honestly too, notwithstanding
She is the greatest beauty in the parish. Fielding. [ 1913 Webster ]

Notwithstanding that, notwithstanding; although. [ 1913 Webster ]

These days were ages to him, notwithstanding that he was basking in the smiles of the pretty Mary. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. That stands out; undischarged; uncollected; not paid; as, outstanding obligations. [ 1913 Webster ]

Revenues . . . as well outstanding as collected. A. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Conspicuously excellent; markedly superior; distinguished. [ PJC ]

3. So prominent so as to attract notice; conspicuous; usually but not always in a good sense. [ PJC ]

a. 1. Remaining erect; not cut down; as, standing corn. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not flowing; stagnant; as, standing water. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not transitory; not liable to fade or vanish; lasting; as, a standing color. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Established by law, custom, or the like; settled; continually existing; permanent; not temporary; as, a standing army; legislative bodies have standing rules of proceeding and standing committees. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Not movable; fixed; as, a standing bed (distinguished from a trundle-bed). [ 1913 Webster ]

Standing army. See Standing army, under Army. --
Standing bolt. See Stud bolt, under Stud, a stem. --
Standing committee, in legislative bodies, etc., a committee appointed for the consideration of all subjects of a particular class which shall arise during the session or a stated period. --
Standing cup, a tall goblet, with a foot and a cover. --
Standing finish (Arch.), that part of the interior fittings, esp. of a dwelling house, which is permanent and fixed in its place, as distinguished from doors, sashes, etc. --
Standing order (a) (Eccl.), the denomination (Congregational) established by law; -- a term formerly used in Connecticut. See also under Order. (a) (Com.) an order for goods which are to be delivered periodically, without the need for renewal of the order before each delivery. --
Standing part. (Naut.) (a) That part of a tackle which is made fast to a block, point, or other object. (b) That part of a rope around which turns are taken with the running part in making a knot or the like. --
Standing rigging (Naut.), the cordage or ropes which sustain the masts and remain fixed in their position, as the shrouds and stays, -- distinguished from running rigging. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of stopping, or coming to a stand; the state of being erect upon the feet; stand. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Maintenance of position; duration; duration or existence in the same place or condition; continuance; as, a custom of long standing; an officer of long standing. [ 1913 Webster ]

An ancient thing of long standing. Bunyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Place to stand in; station; stand. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will provide you a good standing to see his entry. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing. Ps. lxix. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Condition in society; relative position; reputation; rank; as, a man of good standing, or of high standing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Standing off (Naut.), sailing from the land. --
Standing on (Naut.), sailing toward land. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Knowing; intelligent; skillful; as, he is an understanding man. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of one who understands a thing, in any sense of the verb; knowledge; discernment; comprehension; interpretation; explanation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An agreement of opinion or feeling; adjustment of differences; harmony; anything mutually understood or agreed upon; as, to come to an understanding with another. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hoped the loyalty of his subjects would concur with him in the preserving of a good understanding between him and his people. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The power to understand; the intellectual faculty; the intelligence; the rational powers collectively conceived an designated; the higher capacities of the intellect; the power to distinguish truth from falsehood, and to adapt means to ends. [ 1913 Webster ]

But there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Job xxxii. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

The power of perception is that which we call the understanding. Perception, which we make the act of the understanding, is of three sorts: 1. The perception of ideas in our mind; 2. The perception of the signification of signs; 3. The perception of the connection or repugnancy, agreement or disagreement, that there is between any of our ideas. All these are attributed to the understanding, or perceptive power, though it be the two latter only that use allows us to say we understand. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

In its wider acceptation, understanding is the entire power of perceiving an conceiving, exclusive of the sensibility: the power of dealing with the impressions of sense, and composing them into wholes, according to a law of unity; and in its most comprehensive meaning it includes even simple apprehension. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Specifically, the discursive faculty; the faculty of knowing by the medium or use of general conceptions or relations. In this sense it is contrasted with, and distinguished from, the reason. [ 1913 Webster ]

I use the term understanding, not for the noetic faculty, intellect proper, or place of principles, but for the dianoetic or discursive faculty in its widest signification, for the faculty of relations or comparisons; and thus in the meaning in which “verstand” is now employed by the Germans. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Sense; intelligence; perception. See Sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an understanding manner; intelligibly; with full knowledge or comprehension; intelligently; as, to vote upon a question understandingly; to act or judge understandingly. [ 1913 Webster ]

The gospel may be neglected, but in can not be understandingly disbelieved. J. Hawes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tear-filled. [ R. ] “Many an orphan's water-standing eye.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]