en-

prefix

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-.

1. Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective

   “embathe, enquire, enlist”

2. Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective

   “embark, enplane, enthrone”

3. Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective

   “enclothe, embalm, enseam”

4. to become

   “enslave, embetter, engloom”

5. provide with

   “empower”

6. an intensifier

   “entangle, enwisen, enhance”