etcetera

1 of 2

noun

et·cet·era et-ˈse-tə-rə

-ˈse-trə,

also it-,

nonstandard ek-,

nonstandard

1

: a number of unspecified additional persons or things

2

etceteras plural : unspecified additional items : odds and ends

et cetera

2 of 2

Latin phrase

et cet·era et-ˈse-tə-rə

-ˈse-trə,

also it-,

nonstandard ek-,

nonstandard

: and others especially of the same kind : and so forth

—abbreviation etc.

Word History

Etymology

Latin phrase

Latin

First Known Use

Noun

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Latin Phrase

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of etcetera was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Etcetera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etcetera. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

et cetera

et cet·era et-ˈset-ə-rə

-ˈse-trə

: and others especially of the same kind : and so forth

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