en : Idioms & Phrases

-en

Definitions

1. A suffix from AS. -an, formerly used to form the plural of many nouns, as in ashen, eyen, oxen, all obs. except oxen. In some cases, such as children and brethren, it has been added to older plural forms.
2. A suffix corresponding to AS. -en and -on, formerly used to form the plural of verbs, as in housen, escapen.
3. A suffix signifying to make, to cause, used to form verbs from nouns and adjectives; as in strengthen, quicken, frighten. This must not be confused with -en corresponding in Old English to the AS. infinitive ending -an.
4. AS. -en; akin to Goth. -eins, L. -inus, Gr. . An adjectival suffix, meaning made of; as in golden, leaden, wooden.
5. AS. -en; akin to Skr. -na. The termination of the past participle of many strong verbs; as, in broken, gotten, trodden.

Webster 1913

• . (Naut.) See under Flute.

Webster 1913

• (Nav.), partially armed.

Webster 1913

• one that plays obliquely.

Webster 1913

• F., a castle in Spain, that is, a castle in the air, Spain being the region of romance.

Webster 1913

• noun Chinese revolutionary and communist leader (1898-1976)
  Chou En-lai.
  

WordNet

• noun egg cooked individually in cream or butter in a small ramekin
  shirred egg; baked egg.
  

WordNet

• adverb all together
  as a group; en bloc.
  
  • the students turned out en masse

WordNet

• adverb in ordinary language
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite partly dressed in a loose or careless manner
  in dishabille.
  

WordNet

• adverb in a casual way at home
  
  • we'll have dinner en famille

WordNet

• adjective satellite (fencing) in a defensive stance
  

WordNet

• adverb all together
  as a group; en bloc.
  
  • the students turned out en masse

WordNet

• noun (chess) a chess pawn that is moved two squares can be captured by an opponent's pawn commanding the square that was passed
  
• adverb incidentally; in the course of doing something else
  in passing.
  
  • he made this remark in passing

WordNet

• adverb on a route to some place
  on the way.
  
  • help is on the way
  • we saw him on the way to California

WordNet

En` route"

Etymology

F.

Definitions

1. On the way or road.

Webster 1913

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-.

Webster 1913

• noun god of the air and king of the Sumerian gods
  Enlil.
  

WordNet

• noun rare-roasted beef tenderloin coated with mushroom paste in puff pastry
  beef Wellington.
  

WordNet

• (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line.

Webster 1913

Le*vée" en` masse" (Also<

• Levee en masse
• Levée en masse

)

Etymology

F.

Definitions

1. See Levy in mass, under Levy, n.

Webster 1913

• noun the act of drafting into military service
  levy.
  

WordNet

• noun arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted
  setting; stage setting.
  

WordNet

• noun Chinese revolutionary and communist leader (1898-1976)
  Chou En-lai.
  

WordNet