Obs. or arch.; also al be, allbe, all be. [prop. a phrase all be, contr. for all be it, = although it be (that): see ALL adv. and ALBEIT.] Although it be that; although.
1. = ALBEIT 1.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqrs. T., 97. Al be that I kan nat sowne his stile [v.r. al be it].
1493. Petronylla (Pynson), 79. Albe that he excellyd in richesse He besy was to haue hir in mariage.
2. = ALBEIT 2.
c. 1400. Purific. (Turnb., 1843), 128. Thou mekely com thyn offurryng in thyn hond All be the law sett on the no bond.
a. 1586. Sidney, in Farr’s S. P., I. 68. Allbe thousands here, Ten thousands there decay.
1603. B. Jonson, Sejanus, IV. v. Ay, but his fear Would ne’er be mask’d, allbe his vices were.
1825. Southey, Paraguay, IV. xix. Wks. VII. 83. And in their hearts, albe the work was rude, It raised the thought of all-commanding might.
3. = ALBEIT 3.
1596. Spenser, To Beautie, 149. Oft it falles … That goodly Beautie, albe heavenly borne, Is foule abused.
