en- Meaning, Definition & Usage

En-

Definitions

1. F. en-, L. in. A prefix signifying in or into, used in many English words, chiefly those borrowed from the French. Some English words are written indifferently with en- or in-. For ease of pronunciation it is commonly changed to em- before p, b, and m, as in employ, embody, emmew. It is sometimes used to give a causal force, as in enable, enfeeble, to cause to be, or to make, able, or feeble; and sometimes merely gives an intensive force, as in enchasten. See In-.
2. A prefix from Gr. in, meaning in; as, encephalon, entomology. See In-.