English
UK[ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]US[ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
adj
Relating to England, its people, or their language.
n
The language of England, now widely used in many varieties throughout the world.
Etymology
The word 'English' originates from the Old English 'Englisc', meaning 'of the Angles'. The Angles were one of the major Germanic tribes who settled in Britain from the 5th century AD. Their name, 'Angle', is believed to derive from the Angeln peninsula in modern-day Germany, possibly related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight', referring to the shape of the peninsula. Over time, 'Englisc' evolved from specifically denoting the people and language of the Angles to encompassing all the inhabitants of England and their language, a process solidified by the political unification of England under the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form derived from the Old English tribal name 'Englisc'. It is not productively segmentable into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
She is a professor of English literature.
The book has been translated into clear, simple English.
He has a strong English accent.