prep. phr., prep., conj., and sb. Forms: α. 5 of lasse, oo lesse, o less, oless(e, Sc. oles, 9 Sc. aless. β. 5 vpon less. γ. 5 in lasse, yn las, 5 in less (9 dial. inless), 6 inlesse. δ. 5 on lasse, 5–6 onlesse, 6 oon-, oneles, -lez, 5–7 onles, 9 dial. onless. ε. 5 vnlasse, 6–7 vn-, unlesse, 6 vnles, 6– unless. [f. LESS a. 7, with the preps. of, in, upon, and on the last of these by want of stress has been assimilated in form to the prefix UN-1. Cf. LESS conj., also UNLEAST, UNLEST.]
† 1. prep. phr. On a less or lower condition, requirement, footing, etc., than (what is specified).
With preceding negative, expressed or implied.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1919), xxi. 122. But þat may not be vpon less þan wee mowe falle toward heuene. Ibid. (Roxb.), xxv. 118. [see LESS a. 7 c].
1475. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 127/1. His Land, which many persones … fere to take…, olesse then they myght be made verrey sure of payment.
a. 1500. in C. Trice-Martin, Chanc. Proc. 15th C. (1904), 5. Robert wil not suffre hym to be laten to baile on lasse than he will make … a generall acquytaunce.
2. Except, if … not: † a. With retention of than (cf. prec.), but without a negative. Obs.
1431. Acts Privy Counc., IV. 96. It shulde be entendede unto, namely, olesse þan before þt men can se … þe meenes … of ferþer conduyt of þe werre.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., III. xvi. 386. Alle hise successouris ben … excludid for euer, in lasse thanne the same good be ȝouun aȝen.
1467. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 408. Vppon peyn of euery man so failynge, vnlesse then he haue a sufficient depute, of xl. d.
1530. Tyndall, Gen., Prol. Use Script., A v. Inlesse then we entend to be ydle disputers, and braulers aboute vayne wordes.
† b. Followed by that. Obs.
1440. in Wars Eng. in France (1864), II. 458. The kyng conceyueth wele that onlesse that it like him so to tendre the said duc he [etc.].
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. x. 47. Onlesse that our kyng haue more chyualry,… he shal be ouercome.
1529. Wolsey, in Cavendish, Life (1825), II. 261. Onles that yow … do helpe & releve me therin.
1534. in Leadam, Star Chamber Cases (Selden), II. 211. [They] cowde not … sell so myche … onelez that they wold sell so reassonable a pennyworthe.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. iii. 39. Ne would I gladly combate with mine host,… Vnlesse that I were thereunto enforst.
c. With omission of conjunction before the subordinate clause, and thus passing into conj. (Cf. 4.)
1509. Fisher, Serm., Wks. (1876), 277. There is no man … oneles he haue it by reuelacyon that knoweth certaynly [etc.].
1542. Lam. & Piteous Treat., in Harl. Misc. (1745), IV. 505/2. It was a verey daungerous and ieoperdous Thinge,… inlesse they had been … weryd by longe Soiourynge.
1563. Mirr. Mag., Blacksmith, lxviii. For one [talent] is to much, onles it be well spent.
1607. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 442. Margory Davies … wold not remove her habitacion onles she might haue a way … to passe [etc.].
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, II. iii. § 5. Will God condemn them for that, which it was impossible they should have, unless God gave it them?
1710. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 8 Oct. I was at a loss to-day for a dinner, unless I would have gone a great way.
1752. Young, Brothers, I. i. Dominion, and the princess, both are lost, Unless you gain the king.
1820. Southey, Wesley, II. 211. No person was admitted to this rank, unless he were thought competent by the preachers of the circuit.
1877. Ruskin, Fors Clav., lxxx. VII. 234. I am never angry with anybody unless they deserve it.
d. Followed by a prepositional or participial clause without verb, or by when, where, etc.
1548–9. (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Offices, Bapt. Priv. Ho. [That] the people … defer not the Baptisme of infantes … onlesse vp on a greate & reasonable cause.
1610. Fletcher, Faithful Sheph., V. v. [Let] not wine, Unless in sacrifice, or rites divine, Be ever known of Shepherd.
1681. Dryden, Abs. & Achit., I. 590. Nor ever was he known … [to] Curse, unless against the Government.
1721. Bradley, Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat., 77. We had no Frost or Snow…, unless in the most Inland Parts.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, XVII. ix. Jones passed above twenty-four melancholy hours by himself, unless when relieved by the company of Partridge.
1789. Charlotte Smith, Ethelinde (1814), II. 147. But I dare not shew them, unless to you.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, v. A beautiful horse, jet black, unless where he was flecked by spots of … foam.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 439. They never wear clothes unless compelled to.
3. prep. a. Except, but.
1531–2. Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 1. That no suertye be taken onles suche as maye dyspende … yerly … xxvi.s. viii.d.
1563. Hill, Art Garden., II. lxiv. (1574), 132. The floures … ought then to be gathered … vnlesse the Lilly … and Rose.
1600. Heywood, If you know not me, Wks. 1874, I. 205. All forbeare this place, vnlesse the Princess.
1683. D. A., Art Converse, 117. They say nothing unless a meer yes sir or no Madam.
1709. T. Robinson, Nat. Hist. Westmoreld., viii. 53. Inconsistent … with the Nature of Lead, Copper, Coal, or any other Mineral, unless Iron.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 33. Unless the Swedish part,… the Laplanders can be said to be under no regular government.
1886. Pall Mall G., 4 Aug., 1/2. He did not believe that he would ever obtain anything … unless a species of elevated poor-law system of government.
† b. Without; but for. Obs.
1536. St. Papers Hen. VIII. (1830), I. 469. Soo that, unles the most infinite mercy of God, both bodyes and soules shuld perishe togither.
1796. Mrs. J. West, Gossip’s Story, I. 190. You instilled into my infant soul principles, which, unless my own fault, must insure my present and future happiness.
† 4. conj. a. Lest. Obs.
1508. Fisher, 7 Penit. Ps. cii. Wks. (1876), 142. I fere … oneles I shall fall agayne amonge those theues.
1543. Becon, Invect. agst. Swearing, E iiij b. I feare vnlesse we shall be redy … to runne hedlong into hell fyre.
a. 1592. Greene, Alphonsus, I. i. Presume not, villaine, further for to go, Vnles you do at length the same repent.
† b. But that. Obs.–1
1608. in Harl. Misc. (1744), I. 181. A Flea shall not frisk forth, unless they comment upon her.
5. sb. An utterance or instance of the word; a reservation, proviso.
1861. Dickens, in Pall Mall G., 24 Sept. (1891), 3/2. Let us have no unlesses, sir.
1904. Hichens, Woman with Fan, vii. There’s very often an unless hanging about, like a man at a street corner.
