Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - english

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle ~, from Old ~ englisc, from Engle (plural) Angles  Date: before 12th century of, relating to, or characteristic of England, the ~ people, or the ~ language  • ~ness noun  II. noun  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. the language of the people of England and the United States and many areas now or formerly under British control  b. a particular variety of ~ distinguished by peculiarities (as of pronunciation)  c. ~ language, literature, or composition when a subject of study  2. plural in construction the people of England  3.  a. an ~ translation  b. idiomatic or intelligible ~  4. spin around the vertical axis deliberately imparted to a ball that is driven or rolled — compare draw, follow, body ~  III. transitive verb  Date: 14th century  1. to translate into ~  2. to adopt into ~ ; anglicize