Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AN, conj. [In old English authors, signifies if; as, “an it please your honor.” So in Gr. αν or εαν, Ar. انْ, Sam. and L. an, if or whether; Ir. an, Ch. אן or אין, if, whether. It is probably an imperative, like if, gif, give. Qu. Sax. annan, or anan, to give.]