English

English [iŋ′glish; ] also [ iŋ′lish]

adj.

[ME < OE Englisc, lit., of the Angles: see ANGLE & -ISH]

1. of England or its people or culture

2. of the language of England and the U.S.

n.

1. the West Germanic language spoken by the people of England and the U.S., and in the Commonwealth, Liberia, etc.

2. the English language of a specific period or place: see AMERICAN ENGLISH, BRITISH ENGLISH, CANADIAN ENGLISH, OLD ENGLISH, MIDDLE ENGLISH, MODERN ENGLISH

3. a characteristic way of using this language [broken English]

4. the equivalent in the English language; English translation

5. a school course or class in the English language or its literature

☆ 6. [sometimes e-] Billiards Bowling etc. a spinning motion given to a ball, as by striking it on one side

7. Archaic a size of printing type, 14 point

vt.

1. to translate into English

2. to apply the principles of English pronunciation, spelling, etc. to; Anglicize (a foreign word)

☆ 3. [sometimes e-] Billiards Bowling etc. to give English to (a ball)

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the English

the people of England