Middle English Dictionary Entry

if conj.
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Entry Info

Forms if conj. Also ife, iffe, hif, ȝif(e, ȝive, ȝihf, ȝief, yif(fe, gif(e, giffe, gief, (errors) þif, þiif & ef, ȝef(fe, ȝeve, ȝeif, ȝhef, yef(fe, yhef, gef & ȝuf & (?blend of if & a conj.) of. Contraction: nif (= ne if).
Etymology OE gif; also cp. A (&?K) gef, WS gief, gyf.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
Introducing a conditional clause, the action or state expressed being within the realm of possibility: provided that, on condition that, in case that, if; -- with reference to: (a) present or future time, with the conditional clause in the pr., pr.perf., or past indicative, the conclusion in the pr. or pr.perf. ind. or in the impv.; (b) pr. or fut. time, with the condition or conclusion or both in fut. ind.; (c) past time, with condition and conclusion in pr.perf. or past ind.; ~ that; (d) pr. or fut. time, with condition in subjunctive, conclusion in pr. or fut. ind.; ~ that; (e) pr. or fut. time, with condition in subj., conclusion in subj. or impv.; ~ that; (f) past time, with condition in subj., conclusion in ind.
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1b.
Introducing a conditional clause, the action or state expressed being contrary to fact, unrealizable, or extremely doubtful: supposing that, if only, if; -- with reference to: (a) present or future time, with both the conditional clause and the conclusion usually in past subjunctive; ~ that, ~..ne, if..not, except that; (b) past time, with both condition and conclusion usually in past subj.; ~ that; ~..ne, if..not, unless, except that.
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1c.
Introducing a parenthetical clause, in which the condition is an empty expression of politeness or deference.
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1d.
In elliptical constructions, in which the conditional clause is elliptical or the conclusion is either elliptical or implied.
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2.
Introducing a clause of concession: even if, even though, though, although; ~ al, see al 4. (a); al ~, see al-if.
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3.
Introducing a clause of purpose: in the hope that; in order that; so that; that; so ~.
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4.
Introducing a clause expressing a choice of alternatives, an indirect question, a state of uncertainty, etc.: whether, if; ~ that, that ~; ~..other (or), whether..or; asken ~, biholden ~, chesen ~, fonden~, frainen ~, loken ~, seien ~, witen ~, ben demere ~, etc.
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5.
?It is possible that, perhaps.
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6.
Phrases: (a) but ~, unless [see but conj. 4. (b, c)]; (b) ~..ne, nif, if..not, unless; (c) ~ so be (were) that, ~ so be, ~ hit so be (be so) that, if it so happens (happened) that; (d) what ~, suppose that; what does it matter if; it makes no difference if. [See also as ~, as conj. 2. (c), ~ cas, cas n. 3. (e).]
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7.
As noun: the conjunction if.
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