Et Cetera
/ˌɛt ˈsɛtərə/noun
A phrase meaning “and the other things” or “and so on,” used to indicate that a list continues.
Did you know?The common abbreviation “etc.” comes directly from Latin et cetera, while medieval scribes also used forms such as “&c.” to compress the phrase.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁eti
“Beyond, moreover, or still; the probable ancient source of Latin et and English yet.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂étero-
“The other of two or a different one; the probable root behind Latin ceterus and English other.”
Classical Latin
Latin
et
“And.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cēterus
“The other, the remaining, or the rest.”
Classical Latin
Latin
et cētera
“And the other things; and the rest.”
15th Century
English
et cetera
“A borrowed Latin expression used in English lists to mean “and so on.””
Modern English
English
etcetera
“The established English form of the phrase, commonly abbreviated as “etc.””