em

Multiple Entries:
  em    em-    en-  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
em/ɛm/

▶noun Printing a unit for measuring the width of printed matter, equal to the height of the type size being used.

■ a unit of measurement equal to twelve points.

– origin C18: the letter M, since it is approx. this width.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
em- /ɪm, ɛm/

▶prefix variant spelling of en-1, en-2. assimilated before b, p (as in emblazon, emplacement).

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
en-1 (also em-)

▶prefix

• 1 (added to nouns) forming verbs meaning ‘put into or on’: engulf.

• 2 (added to nouns and adjectives) forming verbs (often with the suffix -en) meaning ‘bring into the condition of’: enliven.

• 3 (added to verbs) in; into; on: ensnare.

  ■ as an intensifier: entangle.

– origin from Fr., from L. in-.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
en-2 (also em-)

▶prefix within; inside: enthusiasm.

– origin from Gk.