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Webster 1913 Edition

If

If

,
c
onj.
[OE.
if
,
gif
, AS.
gif
; akin to OFries.
ief
,
gef
,
ef
, OS.
ef
,
of
, D.
of
, or, whether, if, G.
ob
whether, if, OHG.
oba
,
ibu
, Icel.
ef
, Goth.
iba
,
ibai
, an interrogative particle; properly a case form of a noun meaning, doubt (cf. OHG.
iba
doubt, condition, Icel.
if
,
ef
,
ifi
,
efi
), and therefore orig. meaning, on condition that.]
1.
In case that; granting, allowing, or supposing that; – introducing a condition or supposition.
Tisiphone, that oft hast heard my prayer,
Assist,
if
Œdipus deserve thy care.
Pope.
If
thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matt. iv. 3.
2.
Whether; – in dependent questions.
Uncertain
if
by augury or chance.
Dryden.
She doubts
if
two and two make four.
Prior.
As if
,
But if
.
See under
As
,
But
.

Webster 1828 Edition

If

IF

,
Verb.
T.
It is used as the sign of a condition, or it introduces a conditional sentence. It is a verb, without a specified nominative. In like manner we use grant, admit, suppose. Regularly, if should be followed, as it was formerly, by the substitute or pronoun that, referring to the succeeding sentence or proposition. If that John shall arrive in season, I will send him with a message. But that is now omitted,and the subsequent sentence, proposition or affirmation may be considered as the object of the verb. Give John shall arrive; grant,suppose, admit that he shall arrive, I will send him with a message. The sense of if, or give, in this use, is grant, admit, cause to be, let the fact be,let the thing take place. If then is equivalent to grant, allow, admit. 'If thou wilt, thou canst make me whole,' that is, thou canst make me whole, give the fact, that thou wilt.
If thou art the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Matt.14.
1.
Whether or not.
Uncertain if by augury or chance.

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