em- (English)

Where does "em-" come from?

The English prefix 'em-' is a variant form taken by the prefix 'en-' when it precedes the labial consonants 'b' and 'p'[1]. This change occurs as the sound naturally assimilates its place of articulation to match the following consonant[1].

Full etymology tree

• em- (English), 'The form taken by en- before the labial consonants b and p, as it assimilates place of articulation.'
  • influenced by en- (English), 'Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective'

Sources

1. em- (English) - Wiktionary

Updated September 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris