Return to Question

[Etymonline:] mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) "on a less condition (than); see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. ...

Source: p 139, Introduction to Logic (2 ed, 2010) by Harry J. Gensler (More at Linguistics)

“Unless” is also equivalent to “if not”...

1. How did on a less condition (than) shift to onlesse, and then if not?

2. Where and how is there 'negative connotation'?

[Etymonline:] mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) "on a less condition (than); see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. ...

OED (3rd edn, 2017):

[†A.] 2. Forming a conjunctional phrase introducing a case in which an exception to a preceding (or following) statement will or may exist: except if, if..not.

1. How did on a less condition (than) shift to onlesse, and then if not?

2. What and where is the 'negative connotation'?

[Etymonline:] mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) "on a less condition (than); see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. ...

Source: p 139, Introduction to Logic (2 ed, 2010) by Harry J. Gensler (More at Linguistics)

“Unless” is also equivalent to “if not”...

1. How did   on a less condition (than)  evolve into  onlesse  , and finally,  if not?

2. What is meant by 'negative connotation'? Where is it?

Please help me dig deeper than the definitions above, which I already understand and so ask NOT about. I recognise the Etymological Fallacy. OED doesn't explain.

[Etymonline:] mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) "on a less condition (than); see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. ...

Source: p 139, Introduction to Logic (2 ed, 2010) by Harry J. Gensler (More at Linguistics)

“Unless” is also equivalent to “if not”...

1. How did on a less condition (than) shift to onlesse, and then if not?

2. Where and how is there 'negative connotation'?

[Etymonline:] mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) "on a less condition (than); see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. ...

Source: p 139, Introduction to Logic (2 ed, 2010) by Harry J. Gensler (More at Linguistics)

“Unless” is also equivalent to “if not”...

1. How did  on a less condition (than)  evolve into  onlesse , and finally,  if not?

2. What is meant by 'negative connotation'? Where is it?

Please help me dig deeper than the definitions above, which I already understand and so ask NOT about. I recognise the Etymological Fallacy. OED doesn't explain.

[Etymonline:] mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) "on a less condition (than); see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. ...

Source: p 139, Introduction to Logic (2 ed, 2010) by Harry J. Gensler (More at Linguistics)

“Unless” is also equivalent to “if not”...

1. How did  on a less condition (than)  evolve into  onlesse , and finally,  if not?

2. What is meant by 'negative connotation'? Where is it?

Please help me dig deeper than the definitions above, which I already understand and so ask NOT about. I recognise the Etymological Fallacy. OED doesn't explain.