English Explanatory Dictionary

en-

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prefix
  1. Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective
  2. in, into
  3. on, onto
  4. covered by
  5. to become
  6. provide with
  7. an intensifier

Pronunciation

/ɛn-/ /ɪn-/ /ən-/

Word forms

en- em- el-

Etymology

From Middle English en- (“en-, in-”). Originally from Old French en- (also an-), from Latin in- (“in, into”) and Frankish *in-, *int-, *anda-; 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-.

Synonyms

in- intra- em- im- end- endo- ento- on- epi- super- supra- sur- hyper-

Antonyms

out- ex- exo- ecto- ab- apo- de- away off

Related words

em- in-

Derived words

embalm embark embarrass embase embellish embezzle emboss embrace embroider embroil empanel empark emplead employ enamel enamor enamour enchain enchant enchase enclave enclose encounter encourage encrust encumber endoctrine endolour endorse endow endue endure enforce engage engender englue englut engorge engrail engrain engrave engross engulf enhance enjoin enjoy enlace enlarge enlimn ennoble enquire inquire enrace enrage enrich enrobe enroll ensanguine ensemble ensue
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