Where does “if'n” come from?
if'n (English) comes from English AND, from Middle English and, from Old English and, from Proto-Germanic andi, from Proto-Indo-European h₂énti, from Proto-Indo-European h₂énts, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ent-, from Proto-Indo-European h₂en- — on, onto.
if'n (English): If
Definitions
- If
Ancestry of “if'n”, step by step
if'n traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English AND
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | AND | Alternative form of ∧, the conjunction operator;... |
| 2 | Middle English | and | and, and then; however, yet, but, though. while;... |
| 3 | Old English | and | and; even; also |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | andi | in addition, furthermore, and |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂énti | opposite; near; in front |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂énts | forehead; front |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂ent- | face; forehead; front |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂en- | on, onto |