English word if comes from Proto-Indo-European *ō-, Proto-Germanic *ja, and later Proto-Germanic *jabai (When, if.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *ō- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | |
| *ja | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | And (conjunctive particle). Thus, so. Yes (confirmation particle). |
| *jabą | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *jabai | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | When, if. |
| ġef | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | |
| yef | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| if | English (en) | (Discuss([/Wiktionary:Tea_room/2018/March?action=edit§ion=new&preloadtitle=%5B%5Bif%5D%5D +]) this sense) As is the case, since. (computing) In the event that a statement is true (a programming statement that acts in a similar manner).. (sometimes, _, proscribed) Whether; used to introduce a noun clause, an indirect question, that functions as the direct object of certain verbs.. [...] |