En-

Alternative forms

• em-

Origin

From Middle English en- ("en-, in-").

Originally from Old French en- (also an-), from Latin in- ("in, into"); but also from an alteration of Middle English in-, from Old English in- ("in, into"), from Proto-Germanic *in ("in"). Both Latin and , from Proto-Indo-European *en ("in, into"). Intensive use of Old French en-, an- due to confluence with Old Frankish *an- (intensive prefix.), related to Old English on-. More at in-, on-.

Full definition of en-

Prefix

1. in, into, on, onto
2. covered
3. caused
4. as an intensifier

Usage notes

Before labial consonants (b, m and p), the form em- is used instead, to show the assimilation of place of articulation (but note the exception enmesh).

Derived terms