-en

-en. 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. Etym: [AS. -en; akin to Goth. -eins, L. -inus, Gr. Defn: An adjectival suffix, meaning made of; as in golden, leaden, wooden. 5. Etym: [AS. -en; akin to Skr. -na.] Defn: The termination of the past participle of many strong verbs; as, in broken, gotten, trodden.

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