- English
- Eng•lish[[t]ˈɪŋ glɪʃ[/t]] or, often, [[t]-lɪʃ[/t]] n.1) peo the West Germanic language of England: the official language of the United Kingdom and an official, standard, or auxiliary language in the U.S. and regions formerly under British or U.S. dominion, as Ireland, Canada, Australia, and parts of the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, and OceaniaAbbr.: E2) (used with a pl. v.)a) peo the inhabitants of Englandb) natives of England or persons of English ancestry living outside England3) cvb English language, composition, and literature as a course of study in school4) simple, straightforward language5) spo (sometimes l.c.)a) a spinning motion imparted to a ball, esp. in billiardsb) cvbbody English6) pri a 14-point printing type7) pri a grade of calendered paper having a smooth matte finish8) peo of or pertaining to England, its inhabitants, or the language English9) to translate into English10) to adopt (a foreign word) into English; Anglicize•Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE Englisc=Engle (pl.) the English (cf. L Anglī; see Angle) +-isc -ish I Eng′lish•ness, n.
From formal English to slang. 2014.