en-
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English en- (“en-, in-”). Originally from Old French en- (also an-), from Latin in- (“in, into”); but also from an alteration of in-, from Middle English in-, from Old English in- (“in, into”), from Proto-Germanic *in (“in”). Both the Latin and the Germanic forms are from Proto-Indo-European *en (“in, into”). Intensive use of Old French en-, an- is due to confluence with Frankish *an- and *in- (intensive prefixes), related to Old English on- and in- (intensive prefixes). More at in-, on-.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɛn-/, /ɪn-/, /ən-/
Prefix
en-
- Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective
- to become
- provide with
- an intensifier
Usage notes
- Before the labial consonants b or p, the form em- is used instead, a result of assimilation of place of articulation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
- embalm
- embark
- embarrass
- embase
- embellish
- embezzle
- emboss
- embrace
- embroider
- embroil
- empanel
- empark
- emplead (compare emplaidier)
- employ
- enamel (from enamailler)
- enamor, enamour
- enchain
- enchant
- enchase
- enclave
- enclose
- encounter
- encourage
- encrust
- encumber
- endoctrine
- endolour
- endorse
- endow (from endover)
- endue
- endure
- enforce
- engage
- engender
- englue
- englut
- engorge
- engrail
- engrain (from the - phrase en graine)
- engrave
- engross
- engulf
- enhance
- enjoin
- enjoy
- enlace
- enlarge
- enlimn (from enluminer)
- ennoble
- enquire, inquire
- enrace (compare enraciner)
- enrage
- enrich
- enrobe
- enroll
- ensanguine
- ensemble
- ensue
- ensure
- entice
- entitle
- entrain
- entrap
- entreat
- envelop, envelope
- envermeil (compare envermeiller)
- environ
- envisage
- embathe
- emblanch
- emboil
- embraid, embreaded
- embrangle
- empassion
- empierce
- empight
- emplace
- empuzzle
- enact
- encanker
- encheer
- enclasp
- enclothe
- encompass
- endazzle
- enfold
- enfreeze
- engild
- engird
- engrasp
- engrieve
- enkindle
- enlighten
- enmesh
- enmingle
- enmix
- ensear
- ensheathe
- ensnarl
- enstamp
- enstrengthen
- enstyle
- ensweep
- entame
- entangle
- enthrill
- entwin
- entwist
- entwite
- enwallowed
- enwind
- enwrap
- enwreathe
- enwrite
- embank
- embarn
- embastardize
- embattle
- embay
- embeam
- embed
- embillow
- emblaze
- emblazon
- embliss, enbliss
- embloom
- emblossom
- embody
- embondage
- emborder
- embosom
- embottle
- embow
- embowel
- embowl
- embox
- embronze
- embrothel
- embus
- emmarble, enmarble
- empanoplied
- empeople
- emplane
- emplotment (neologism by Paul Ricœur)
- emplumed
- empower
- empurple
- enarch
- enarm
- enarmor, enarmour
- encage
- encamp
- encapsulate
- encapture
- encase
- encashment
- encasket
- enchaired
- enchannel
- encharm
- enchisel
- encindered
- encipher
- encircle
- enclasp
- encloister
- encloud
- encoach
- encode
- encoffin
- encolour
- encowl
- encradle
- encrimson
- encroach
- enculture
- encunt
- encurtain
- encyst
- endanger
- endart
- endenizen
- endiademed
- endome
- endungeon
- enface
- enfame
- enfeoff
- enfetter
- enfire
- enflesh
- enflower
- enforest
- enframe
- enfranchise
- enfreedom
- engaol
- engarland
- engirdle
- engirt
- englamour
- engloom
- engore
- engraft
- engrave
- engroove
- enguard
- engyve
- enhalo
- enharbour
- enhearse
- enhedge
- enhoney
- enhunger
- enisle
- enjail
- enkennel
- enlard
- enleague
- enlight
- enlink
- enlist (possibly from inlijsten (“to write on a list”))
- enliven
- enlute
- enmassed
- enmew
- enmire
- enmist
- enmossed
- enmuffle
- enniche
- enpatron
- enplane
- enprison
- enquote
- enrank
- enrapture
- enregister
- enrheum
- enridge
- enrockment
- enroot
- enscale
- enschedule
- ensconce
- enseam
- ensepulcher, ensepulchre
- enserf
- enshackle
- enshaded, enshadow
- enshell
- enshelter
- enshrine
- enshroud
- ensky
- enslave
- ensnare
- ensoul
- enspell
- ensphere
- enstool
- entabulate
- entail
- enthral, enthrall
- enthrone
- entoil
- entomb
- entrail
- entrain
- entrench
- entrust
- entwine
- envassal
- envault
- enveil
- envenom, envenomate
- envillaged
- envision
- envolume
- enwoman
- enwomb
- enwreath
- enzone
- embetter
- embitter
- emblind
- embolden
- embrave
- embrittle
- embusy
- empractical (neologism)
- enable
- encrisped
- encrypt (neologism from κρυπτός (kruptós, “concealed, hidden”) or κρύπτω (krúptō, “hide, cover”))
- endear
- enfeeble
- enfierced
- enfree
- englacial
- engolden
- engreen
- enmilden
- ennew
- enquicken
- enripen
- enround
- ensafe
- ensober
- entender
- enweaken
- emblem
- embolism
- embrocate (from embrocatus, from ἐμβροχή (embrokhḗ, “lotion, fomentation”))
- embryo
- empathy (a 20th century neologism)
- empiric (via empirique and empiricus from ἐμπειρικός (empeirikós, “experienced”))
- emporium
- encaustic (probably neologism after καυστικός (kaustikós, “burning”))
- encephalitis (from encéphalite?)
- enchondroma
- encomiast, encomium
- encyclical (from encyclicus)
- encyclopaedia, encyclopedia (from encyclopaedia)
- endemic (from endémique?)
- endive (from ἔντυβον (éntubon) or intibus, ultimately of uncertain origin)
- enema
- enepidermic
- energy (via énergie and energia from ἐνέργεια (enérgeia, “action, act, work”))
- entablature (from intavolatura)
- enthuse, enthusiasm, enthusiastic
- entomology (from entomologie)
- entrochite
- enzyme (from Enzym)
- panendeism, panentheism (from Panentheismus)
See also
References
- “en-”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “en-”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
Anagrams
Catalan
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.
Prefix
en-
- en- (all meanings)
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Esperanto
Etymology
From en, borrowed from French en.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /en/
Audio: (file) - Rhymes: -en
- Hyphenation: en
Prefix
en-
- in- (in, within, inside)
- in to (into)
- en- + gluti → engluti
- en- + skribi → enskribi
- en- + blovi → enblovi
- en- + brako + -igi → enbrakigi
- en- + vico + -igi → envicigi
- en- + kaso + -igi → enkasigi
- en- + tero + -igi → enterigi
- en- + loĝi + -iĝi → enloĝiĝi
- en- + ŝipo + -iĝi → enŝipiĝi
- en- + dormi + -iĝi → endormiĝi
Derived terms
See also
- related to sense 1: interne de
References
- “en”, in Reta Vortaro [Online Dictionary] (in Esperanto), 1997
French
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Old French en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɑ̃/
Audio: (file)
Prefix
en-
- en- (all meanings)
- away, from, off, reversal
- enfuir, enlever, emporter, envoler
- Note: compare s'en aller
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Galician
Alternative forms
- em- (before b or p)
Etymology
From Old Galician-Portuguese en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); compare en.
Prefix
en-
Derived terms
From
.
Related terms
See also
Ido
Etymology
Prefix form of en (“in”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɛn/
Prefix
en-
- prefix indicating in
Derived terms
Ladino
Alternative forms
- em- (before b or p)
Etymology
From Old Spanish en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of in (“in, into”).
Prefix
en-
Derived terms
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Borrowed from Old French en-, from Latin in-.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɛn-/
Prefix
en-
- Forms words, usually verbs, meaning "in", "on", or "around"; en-.
- Intensifies words, usually verbs; en-.
Usage notes
- Sometimes used interchangeably with in-; see that entry for more.
Derived terms
Descendants
References
- “en-, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
Mohawk
Prefix
en-
- future tense prefix
References
- Gunther Michelson (1973) A thousand words of Mohawk, University of Ottawa Press, page 5
Norman
Etymology
From Old French en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.
Prefix
en-
- en- (all meanings)
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Northern Ndebele
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Prefix
en-
- Class 9 adjective concord.
Usage notes
The variant form em- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).
Occitan
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Old Occitan en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.
Prefix
en-
- en- (all meanings)
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Old French
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”). Influenced by Frankish *an- (intensive prefix), related to Old English on- (intensive prefix).
Prefix
en-
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Old Galician-Portuguese
Etymology
From Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”).
Prefix
en-
Descendants
Old Saxon
Etymology
From ēn (“one”).
Prefix
ēn-
Portuguese
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Old Galician-Portuguese en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); compare em.
Prefix
en-
- en- (all meanings)
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Spanish
Alternative forms
- em- (before b or p)
Etymology
Inherited from Old Spanish en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.
Prefix
en-
- en- (all meanings) (clarification of this definition is needed)
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Further reading
- “en-”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 10 December 2024
Tocharian A
Etymology
Related to Tocharian B en-, either borrowed into or from Tocharian A. Of uncertain origin, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European, cognate with Ancient Greek αἶνος (aînos, “story, tale”).
Verb
en-
Tocharian B
Etymology
Related to Tocharian A en-, either borrowed into or from Tocharian B. Of uncertain origin, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European, cognate with Ancient Greek αἶνος (aînos, “story, tale”).
Verb
en-
Derived terms
- enäṣṣālñe (“instruction, teaching, doctrine”)
Further reading
- Adams, Douglas Q. (2013) “en-”, in A Dictionary of Tocharian B: Revised and Greatly Enlarged (Leiden Studies in Indo-European; 10), Amsterdam, New York: Rodopi, →ISBN, page 87
Welsh
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɛn/
Prefix
en-
- affirmative prefix, emphasises prefixed word
Derived terms
Mutation
radical | soft | nasal | h-prothesis |
---|---|---|---|
en- | unchanged | unchanged | hen- |
Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Welsh.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.
References
R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “en-”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
Xhosa
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Prefix
en-
- Class 9 adjective concord.
Usage notes
The variant form em- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).
Zulu
Etymology
From a- (“relative”) + n- (“class 9 basic noun prefix”).
Prefix
ḗn-
- Class 9 adjective concord.
Usage notes
The variant form em- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).
References
- C. M. Doke, B. W. Vilakazi (1972) “em-, en-”, in Zulu-English Dictionary, →ISBN: “em-, en-”