(a) In spite of the fact that, although; also, however much, however many; (b) in clauses restricting or otherwise qualifying the statement of the main clause: except that; granted that; even though; (c) in parenthetic concessive clauses; soth ~ hit nere, though it was not true; wise man ~ he were, wise man though he were; (d) with ellipsis in the subordinate clause.

In combs. and collocations: (a) ~ that, although, in spite of the fact that; ~ the [OE þēah þe], although, though, even though; (b) ~ al (be hit so that, ~ al..that, albeit, although, even though; (c) with impers. constructions, often elliptical: ~ hit so be that, ~ hit were so that, ~ so be, ~ so that, etc.: despite the fact that (sb. does sth., sth. was so, etc.).

In correl. constructions: (a) ~..never-the-les (nether-les, yet, etc.), ~ al..nether-les (yet), ~ that..nevertheles (yet), despite the fact that..nevertheless (yet, etc.); (b) ~..though (whether, ~ that..though, although..still, although..nevertheless.

(a) If; also, whether; what ~, what if; (b) introducing a hypothetical but possible condition: were it the case that, if for example; also, with concessive force: even if;—sometimes in parenthetical constructions [quots. a1393 & a1425(a1400)]; ~ that; (c) introducing a clearly impossible or contrary-to-fact condition: in the extreme case that, granted the impossible case that, even supposing that; ~ that; (d) as if; also, with comp.: than if [quot. c1275]; as ~ (that, as if, as though; than ~, than as if.

In correl. constructions: (a) ~..or (elles, ~..other, whether..or (else; ~..thanne, if..then; (b) ~..yet, even if..still.

With reduced contrastive or concessive force: but yet, but, and yet [often difficult to distinguish from senses 1. and 2a. and from some exx. in though adv. 1.(a)].

Inasmuch as, since; just because.

When.

In specific contexts: that [see Mitchell OE Syntax §3409-15; some quots. might, alternatively, be regarded as belonging to sense 2a.(a) or (b)]: (a) following a clause expressing wonder, usu. with negative [see Mitchell §3409]; hit is no wonder (merveille) ~, no wonder is ~ that, no wonder ~, etc.; (b) in rhetorical question implying a negative response [see Mitchell §3411]; (c) following a negative clause to which the though clause serves as logical (though not grammatical) subject: hit sholde ben no noisaunce ~; hit was no wrong ~.

Gram. As noun: the conjunction 'though'.