conjunction

albeit

awl-BEE-it/ˌɔːlˈbiːɪt/

Although or even though.

The hiker enjoys the beautiful view, albeit in heavy rain.

A hiker continues up the trail in heavy rain while smiling at the beautiful view, showing that one fact remains true even though a limiting condition is also true.

Etymology

alMiddle Englishalthough

+beMiddle Englishbe

+itMiddle Englishit

The pieces form “although it be”: a phrase that concedes something without letting it overturn the main statement. That concessive force survives in the conjunction’s meaning “although” or “even though.”

In context

Martin Rees16:07

Metallic objects -- albeit very small ones, a few tons at most -- escaped into orbit around the Earth.

Sir Martin Rees: Earth in its final century?

TED3:26

these models are just following a set of instructions, albeit complex.

How to Get Inside the "Brain" of AI | Alona Fyshe | TED

More examples

She agreed to help, albeit reluctantly.
The apartment is comfortable, albeit smaller than our previous home.
The plan succeeded, albeit at greater cost than expected.

Similar words

although: More readily introduces a full clause with its own subject.
though: Is less formal and can also appear at a sentence's end.