en-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "en"

English

Alternative forms

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

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-

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
to become
enslave, embetter, engloom
provide with
empower
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

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)

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)

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-

en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Catalan terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

en

Esperanto

Etymology

From en, borrowed from French en.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /en/
Audio: (file)
Rhymes: -en
Hyphenation: en

Prefix

en-

in- (in, within, inside)
La libro enhavas tridek ĉapitrojn. ― The book contains/includes thirty chapters.

La ĉambro entenis kvardek personojn. ― The room contained forty people.
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

References

“en”, in Reta Vortaro [Online Dictionary] (in Esperanto), 1997

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-

en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

French terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

en

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-

en-, in-

Derived terms

From

Galician terms prefixed with en-

.

Related terms

en

Ido

Etymology

Prefix form of en (“in”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɛn/

Prefix

en-

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

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

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-

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-

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

English: en- (in-)

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

Norman terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

en

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

em-

Etymology

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

Prefix

en-

en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Occitan terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

en

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-

en- (in; into)
en- (intensifier)

Derived terms

Related terms

en

Old Galician-Portuguese

Etymology

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

Prefix

en-

en-

Descendants

Galician: en-
Portuguese: en-

Old Saxon

Etymology

From ēn (“one”).

Prefix

ēn-

one, uni-, only
ēnkunni (“only, unique”)
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-

en- (all meanings)

Derived terms

Portuguese terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

em

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

Spanish terms prefixed with en-

Related terms

en

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-

to instruct, teach
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-

to instruct, teach
to punish

Derived terms

enäṣṣālñe (“instruction, teaching, doctrine”)

Welsh

Alternative forms

an-

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɛn/

Prefix

en-

affirmative prefix, emphasises prefixed word
‎en- + ‎mawr (“big”) → ‎enfawr (“huge”)

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

Derived terms

Welsh terms prefixed with en-

enfys

enfawr

enrhifo

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-

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-”