though

Where does the word "though" come from? It comes from Old Norse thauh, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).

Though’s story begins in Old Norse: thauh meant “despite, although.” A conjunction expressing contrast, reinforcing a native English form. It reached English by 1200s as though. Settled as the standard English word introducing a contrast. Today, though means despite the fact that, used to introduce a contrasting statement.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval thauh "despite, although", a conjunction expressing contrast, reinforcing a native English form.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1200s though "despite the fact that", settled as the standard English word introducing a contrast.