-en

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
-en1

▶suffix forming verbs.

• 1 (from adjectives) denoting the development or intensification of a state: widen.

• 2 from nouns (such as strengthen from strength).

– origin OE -nian, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
-en2 (also -n)

▶suffix forming adjectives from nouns.

• 1 made or consisting of: earthen.

• 2 resembling: golden.

– origin OE, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
-en3 (also -n)

▶suffix forming past participles of strong verbs.

• 1 as a regular inflection: spoken.

• 2 as an adjective: mistaken.

– origin OE, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
-en4

▶suffix forming the plural of a few nouns such as children, oxen.

– origin ME reduction of the earlier suffix -an.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
-en5

▶suffix forming diminutives of nouns (such as chicken).

– origin OE, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
-en6

▶suffix

• 1 forming feminine nouns such as vixen.

• 2 forming abstract nouns such as burden.

– origin OE, of Gmc origin.