Obs. (Only in Caxton.) [pr. pple. of WITHSTAND used as a prep. (conj.) in imitation of OF. obstant (que). Cf. NOTWITHSTANDING (= F. non obstant).] Having regard to, on account of; seeing that.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxvi. 566. Why dyde ye calle my fader of treyson, wythstandyng that men know well that he is one of the trueste knyghtes of the worlde? Ibid. (1490), Eneydos, xvi. 65. Thynkyng in hymselfe to be in daunger of his persone … wythstandyng the inuectyue monycyons doon to hym. Ibid. (1491), Vitas Patr. (W. de W., 1495), II. 186 b/2. The marchaunt … wolde not by it withstandynge this that he knewe not how moche it myght well be worth.
