ento-
word-forming element used chiefly in biology and meaning "within, inside, inner," from Greek ento-, combining form of entos (adv., prep.) "within, inside," as a noun, "inner parts" (cognate with Latin intus), from PIE *entos-, extended form of root *en "in," with adverbial suffix *-tos, denoting origin.
Entries linking to ento-
early 15c., "a citizen, a dweller, an inhabitant," especially "legally established inhabitant of a city or borough, a citizen as distinguished from a non-resident native or a foreigner," from Anglo-French deinzein, denzein, (Old French deinzein) "one within" (the privileges of a city franchise; opposed to forein "one without"), from deinz "within, inside," from Late Latin deintus, from de- "from" + intus "within" (see ento-).
Historically, an alien admitted to certain rights of citizenship in a country; a naturalized citizen (but ineligible to public office). Formerly also an adjective, "within the city franchise, having certain rights and privileges of citizenship" (late 15c.). Compare foreign.
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updated on September 28, 2017
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Dictionary entries near ento-
entirely
entirety
entitle
entitlement
entity
ento-
entomb
entombment
entomolite
entomologist
entomology