Definition of "howbeit"

Howbeit we have not yet been able to overtake young Madam, we may account it ſome good fortune, that we have hitherto traced her courſe aright.

1749, Henry Fielding, “Tom Jones”, in The Novelist’s Magazine, volume III, London: Harrison and Co., published 1781, page 302

I will goe waſh : / And when my Face is faire, you ſhall perceiue / Whether I bluſh, or no : howbeit, I thanke you, / I meane to ſtride your Steed, and at all times / To vnder-creſt your good Addition, / To th’ faireneſſe of my power.

c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ix], page 7, column 2

Howbeit, then when ye knew not God, yee did ſeruice vnto them which by nature are no Gods.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Galatians 4:8

Our hearts discern wild images of Death,Shadows and shoals that edge eternity.Howbeit athwart Death's imminent shade doth soarOne Power

1871, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Through Death to Love, lines 7–10

This applies not only to trackwork and operational methods, but also to motive power, and it will be recalled that the first steam locomotive to run on rails (howbeit, tramplates) was Trevithick's Penydarren engine of 1804.

1941 June, “Some Early Welsh-Built Engines”, in Railway Magazine, page 246