en-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "en"

English

Alternative forms

• em- (before certain consonants, principally b or p)

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- (intensive prefix), related to Old English on- (intensive prefix). More at in-, on-.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛn-/, /ɪn-/, /ən-/

Prefix

en-

1. Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective
   2. in, into

      embathe, enquire, enlist

   4. on, onto

      embark, enplane, enthrone

   6. covered by

      enclothe, embalm, enseam

3. to become

   enslave, embetter, engloom

5. provide with

   empower

7. an intensifier

   entangle, enwisen, enhamper

Usage notes

• Before the labial consonants b or p, the form em- is used instead, a result of assimilation of place of articulation.

Synonyms

• (in): in-, intra-, em-/im-, end-/endo-/ento-
• (on): on-, epi-, super-, supra-, sur-, hyper-

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “in”): out-, ex-, exo-, ecto-
• (antonym(s) of “on”): out-, ab-, apo-, de-, away, off

Derived terms

English terms prefixed with en-

verbs derived from French (or Anglo-Norman) verbs or expressions using en- or en

• 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
• enrange (compare arranger)
• enrich
• enrobe
• enroll
• ensanguine
• ensemble
• ensue
• ensure
• entice
• entitle
• entrain
• entrap
• entreat
• envelop, envelope
• envermeil (compare envermeiller)
• environ
• envisage

 

nouns derived from French (or Anglo-Norman) nouns or expressions using en- or en

• embrasure
• emplacement
• endeavor, endeavour (from mettre en deveir (literally “put in duty”))
• enfilade
• engine, engineer
• enquiry, inquiry
• ensign
• ensilage
• entente
• entrail, entrails
• envoy
• envy

 

verbs composed from en- + English verb (meaning: to include, apply)

• 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
• enseel
• ensheathe
• ensnarl
• enstamp
• enstrengthen
• enstyle
• ensweep
• entame
• entangle
• enthrill
• entwin
• entwist
• entwite
• enwallowed
• enwind
• enwrap
• enwreathe
• enwrite

 

verbs composed from en- + English noun, sometimes with additional verb suffixes as -ate, -en or -ize (“to enclose, enter in, provide with”)

• 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

 

verbs composed from en- + English adjective or other word type (meaning: provide with a quality)

• 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

 

terms derived from foreign (mostly Greek) words using en- or in-

• 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

• em-
• in-

 

References

• “en-”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “en-”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Anagrams

• nê, né, Ne., ne, -ne-, NE, ne., -ne

Catalan

Alternative forms

• em-

Etymology

Inherited from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

Prefix

en-

1. en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Catalan terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• en

See also

• in-

French

Alternative forms

• em-

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-

1. en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

French terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• en

See also

• in-

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-

1. en-, in-

Derived terms

From

Galician terms prefixed with en-

.

Related terms

• en

See also

• in-

Ido

Etymology

Prefix form of en (“in”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛn/

Prefix

en-

1. prefix indicating in

   ‎en- + ‎irar (“to go”) → ‎enirar (“to go in; enter”)

   ‎en- + ‎swichar (“to switch”) → ‎enswichar (“to switch on”)

Derived terms

Ido terms prefixed with en-

Ladino

Alternative forms

• em- (before b or p)

Etymology

From Old Spanish en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of in (“in, into”).

Prefix

en-

1. en-

Derived terms

Ladino terms prefixed with en-

Middle English

Alternative forms

• an-

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French en-, from Latin in-.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛn-/

Prefix

en-

1. Forms words, usually verbs, meaning "in", "on", or "around"; en-.
2. Intensifies words, usually verbs; en-.

Usage notes

• Sometimes used interchangeably with in-; see that entry for more.

Derived terms

Middle English terms prefixed with en-

Descendants

• English: en- (in-)

References

• “en-, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Mohawk

Prefix

en-

1. 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-

1. en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Norman terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• en

See also

• in-

Northern Ndebele

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Prefix

en-

1. 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

• em-

Etymology

From Old Occitan en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

Prefix

en-

1. en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Occitan terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• en

See also

• in-

Old French

Alternative forms

• an-, em-

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-

1. en- (in; into)
2. en- (intensifier)

Derived terms

Old French terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• en

See also

• in-

Old Galician-Portuguese

Etymology

From Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”).

Prefix

en-

2. en-

Descendants

• Galician: en-
• Portuguese: en-

Old Saxon

Etymology

From ēn (“one”).

Prefix

ēn-

1. one, uni-, only

   ēnkunni (“only, unique”)

2. sole, single, solitary

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• em- (before b or p)
• e- (before m or n)

Etymology

From Old Galician-Portuguese en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); compare em.

Prefix

en-

2. en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Portuguese terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• em

See also

• in-

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-

1. en- (all meanings) (clarification of this definition is needed)

Derived terms

Spanish terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

• en

 

See also

• in-

Further reading

• “en-”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.7, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 2023 November 28

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-

1. to instruct, teach
2. to punish

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-

1. to instruct, teach
2. to punish

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

• an-

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛn/

Prefix

en-

1. affirmative prefix, emphasises prefixed word

   ‎en- + ‎mawr (“big”) → ‎enfawr (“huge”)

   ‎en- + ‎pyd (“danger”) → ‎enbyd (“dangerous, exceeding, pressing”)

Derived terms

Welsh terms prefixed with en-

Mutation

Mutated forms of en-

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-

1. 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-

1. 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-”