*SET-U

English word origin

Etymology of E

From Middle English and Old English upper case letter E and split of Æ, Ea, Eo, and Œ, from five 7th century replacements of Anglo-Saxon Futhorcs by Latin letters: * Old English letter E, from replacement by Latin letter

5 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗
In this entry · 5 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗
character

The fifth letter of the English alphabet, called e and written in the Latin script.

num

The fifth numeral symbol of the English alphabet, called e and written in the Latin script.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Middle English and Old English upper case letter E and split of Æ, Ea, Eo, and Œ, from five 7th century replacements of Anglo-Saxon Futhorcs by Latin letters: * Old English letter E, from replacement by Latin letter E of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᛖ (e). * Old English letter Æ from replacement by Latin ligature Æ of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᚫ (æ). * Old English digraph Ea, from replacement by Latin digraph EA of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᛠ (ea). * Old English digraph Eo from replacement by Latin digraph EO of Anglo-Saxon Futhorc ᛇ (eo). * Old English letter Œ from replacement by Latin ligature Œ of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc letter ᛟ (œ).

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [],
  "links": [
    [
      "E",
      "E#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "Æ",
      "Æ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "Œ",
      "Œ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "E",
      "E#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "E",
      "E#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "ᛖ",
      "ᛖ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "Æ",
      "Æ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "Æ",
      "Æ#Latin"
    ],
    [
      "ᚫ",
      "ᚫ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "EA",
      "EA#Latin"
    ],
    [
      "ᛠ",
      "ᛠ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "EO",
      "EO#Middle_English"
    ],
    [
      "ᛇ",
      "ᛇ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "Œ",
      "Œ#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "Œ",
      "Œ#Latin"
    ],
    [
      "ᛟ",
      "ᛟ#Old_English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "character",
      "glosses": [
        "The fifth letter of the English alphabet, called e and written in the Latin script."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "letter",
        "uppercase"
      ],
      "recordId": "e6d9d85f4a3cafa434f70244183ac067e62fd68d0c59a9110585f6135392b4c6",
      "rawRecordSha256": "f72f60c7f7377ab094f69068fad980677341ebcc30d8dd0c2e57ab4d5c3c8458",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325361
    },
    {
      "pos": "num",
      "glosses": [
        "The fifth numeral symbol of the English alphabet, called e and written in the Latin script."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "uppercase"
      ],
      "recordId": "f86a1cfbd28b4b8079dae10cb89b23f86d77644c8bfcbd6285fed8656002959b",
      "rawRecordSha256": "3ca0be54ac6c46d0b813aa4fd0e9147e2f8e90728dcdc54e142f24a2abc78737",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325362
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗
symbol

Abbreviation of everyone. · East.

noun

The drug ecstasy (MDMA), particularly in pill form. · Abbreviation of estrogen or estradiol. · The grade below D in some grading systems. In most such systems, it is a failing grade. · The third note in the C major scale.

name

Abbreviation of Elohist. · Abbreviation of Eni.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Abbreviation.

This page abbreviates 3 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [],
  "links": [],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "symbol",
      "glosses": [
        "Abbreviation of everyone.",
        "East."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "abbreviation",
        "alt-of"
      ],
      "recordId": "5b5c76657b427780b19e98e33c1945804922fccfbc8b826fccc75a2d6bda2760",
      "rawRecordSha256": "cb0b31a5b654b1eb0bd12372866c38612d9130e39ca6ff2ecc225e82c55a2554",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325363
    },
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "The drug ecstasy (MDMA), particularly in pill form.",
        "Abbreviation of estrogen or estradiol.",
        "The grade below D in some grading systems. In most such systems, it is a failing grade.",
        "The third note in the C major scale."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "slang",
        "abbreviation",
        "alt-of"
      ],
      "recordId": "a800f77675338fc2730f90e6e07109762176b4af47ac2fb898ec6d8536507c32",
      "rawRecordSha256": "674974d2aca1ee1a6efd823db28ccff8fdf7a6538ede3c590b921b112446fc11",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325364
    },
    {
      "pos": "name",
      "glosses": [
        "Abbreviation of Elohist.",
        "Abbreviation of Eni."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "abbreviation",
        "alt-of"
      ],
      "recordId": "b4167c739df0809ea330461709dc5d2c00f1bf22b0775d13dc956cfc9f6d66dd",
      "rawRecordSha256": "6089fd98cf557287179abf604f2801b6a8b80fe5b6928c95224b505466fa15cd",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325365
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 3,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 3

Original entry ↗
name

A state in ancient China of varying location in present-day Shanxi, Henan, and Hubei. · Its capital, also known as Echeng and Ezhou. · A surname from Mandarin Chinese.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 鄂 (È).

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

  • Borrowed-form mention鄂cmn
Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "wp",
      "args": {
        "1": "E (state)"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "wp",
      "args": {
        "1": "E (surname)"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "bor",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "cmn-pinyin",
        "3": "-"
      },
      "expansion": "Hanyu Pinyin"
    },
    {
      "name": "bor",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "cmn",
        "3": "鄂",
        "tr": "È"
      },
      "expansion": "Mandarin 鄂 (È)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "鄂",
      "鄂#Mandarin"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "name",
      "glosses": [
        "A state in ancient China of varying location in present-day Shanxi, Henan, and Hubei.",
        "Its capital, also known as Echeng and Ezhou.",
        "A surname from Mandarin Chinese."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "f31936e8924f48a7c2eff82be8c28d8cc5c2c52f615866d927fcfef7825fcd2d",
      "rawRecordSha256": "4ae7e5b0b8d4a40e7f521038cbf39d444c419498bdee3c30b8af45aee58f1b5b",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325366
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 4

Original entry ↗
name

A Tai-Chinese mixed language spoken primarily in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, Guangxi, China; Kjang E.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of Mandarin 誒 /诶 (ê̄), from E ɛ⁵⁵.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

  • Borrowed-form mention誒cmn
  • Derivation mentionɛ⁵⁵eee
Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "wp",
      "args": {
        "1": "E language"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "bor",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "cmn-pinyin",
        "3": "-"
      },
      "expansion": "Hanyu Pinyin"
    },
    {
      "name": "bor",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "cmn",
        "3": "誒",
        "tr": "ê̄"
      },
      "expansion": "Mandarin 誒 /诶 (ê̄)"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "eee",
        "3": "ɛ⁵⁵"
      },
      "expansion": "E ɛ⁵⁵"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "誒",
      "誒#Mandarin"
    ],
    [
      "诶",
      "诶#Mandarin"
    ],
    [
      "ɛ⁵⁵",
      "ɛ⁵⁵#E"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "name",
      "glosses": [
        "A Tai-Chinese mixed language spoken primarily in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, Guangxi, China; Kjang E."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "96aab914887e8e1e3599c49f9fd0e851077df604b1fe5730e0264231b2d3b4dd",
      "rawRecordSha256": "c2b8df32507529a2e50e54fee3d172e5fd7eeaa6d2e63fc7d1c0bdd3bdea18e3",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325367
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 5

Original entry ↗
name

A river in Highland council area, Scotland.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Unknown.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "wp",
      "args": {
        "1": "River E"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "unk",
      "args": {
        "1": "en"
      },
      "expansion": "Unknown"
    }
  ],
  "links": [],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "name",
      "glosses": [
        "A river in Highland council area, Scotland."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "7c9925e5301a147377da5cc76064fd2b452ae87bcef8505091a3482e6e636214",
      "rawRecordSha256": "14bed82921e45cff138ba31c5a789372764981021a1814cb3cc42734758aae51",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 325368
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for E →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger
Machine-source provenance
Source SHA-256
5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run
73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID
w-RQ