Else
/ɛls/noun
Used to refer to a different person, thing, or situation; otherwise.
Did you know?English else descends from a Proto-Germanic word meaning “other, different,” and its ancient relatives show up all over Germanic languages, proof that even tiny words can carry a long history of distinction and exclusion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*aljaz
“other, different”
Old English
OE
elles
“otherwise; in another way”
Middle English
ME
elles
“otherwise; in some other manner”
Modern English
EN
else
“other than; in addition; otherwise”