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English
Conjunction
not but
- (now rare, archaic) Introducing a subordinate clause, frequently with that: "it is not that (the following clause) is not the case".
1717, Alexander Pope, A Discourse on Pastoral Poetry:Spenser's Calendar, in Mr Dryden's opinion, is the most complete work of this kind which any nation has produced ever since the time of Virgil. Not but that he may be thought imperfect in some few points.
1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle , volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., , →OCLC:[H]e did not fail to be extremely disconcerted at his first entrance into a scene of life to which he was totally a stranger. Not but that he met with abundance of people in the country […] .
1768, Isaac Bickerstaff, Lionel and Clarissa:Not but your father has good qualities, and I assure you I remember him a very fine gentleman himself.
1792, Jane Austen, ‘Lesley Castle’, Juvenilia:This was the only very severe thing I ever said in my Life; not but that I have often felt myself extremely satirical but it was the only time I ever made my feelings public.
1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter VI, in Great Expectations , volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, , published October 1861, →OCLC, page 94:I believe you they dread him. Not but what he's artful, even in his defiance of them.
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