- en-
- I
cvb aff. a prefix forming verbs that have the general sense “to cause (a person or thing) to be in” the place, condition, or state named by the stem; more specifically, “to confine in or place on” (entomb); “to cause to be in” (enrich; enslave; entrust); “to restrict,” typically with the additional sense “on all sides, completely” (encircle; enclose; entwine). This prefix is also attached to verbs in order to make them transitive, or to give them a transitive marker if they are already transitive (enkindle; enliven; enshield)Also, before labial consonants,em- I Compare be-,in- II Etymology: ME < OF < L in- II IIen-aff. a prefix meaning “within, in,” occurring in loanwords from Greek:energy; enthusiasm[/ex]Also, before labial consonants,em- II Etymology: (< L) < Gk; c. in- I, in- II
From formal English to slang. 2014.