ˌnänəbˈstantē, ˌnōn- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English non obstante, from Latin, notwithstanding, being no hindrance; from the medieval English use in statutes and letters patent of the Latin words non obstante aliquo statuto in contrarium notwithstanding any statute to the contrary
1. : a license from the crown to do a thing notwithstanding any statute to the contrary
2. obsolete
a. : a dispensation from or relaxation of a law or rule
b. : an exception to a rule