Also et cætera; often abbreviated as etc., &c. [a. L. et cētera (et and + cētera, often written cætera, the rest, neut. pl. of *cēterus the other).]
1. As phrase: And the rest, and so forth, and so on (cf. Gr. καὶ τὰ λοιπά, Ger. und so weiter), indicating that the statement refers not only to the things enumerated, but to others which may be inferred from analogy. Occasionally used when the conclusion of a quotation, a current formula of politeness, or the like, is omitted as being well known to the reader.
A custom formerly common, but now nearly disused except in certain government offices, is to write ‘&c., &c.’ in the addresses of letters, as a substitute for the titles of office or dignity affixed to the name of the person addressed.
1418. E. E. Wills (1882), 37. Also a gowne … in ward, &c.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, cxiii. 154. Not to foryete the countesse moder unto the erle et cetera.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 612/1. The woordes of saynt Paule, It is impossible that they whiche haue once been illumined, &c.
1640. in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. II. 1186. I A. B. do swear, That I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline … established in the Church of England … nor will I ever give my Consent to alter the Government of this Church by Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, and Archdeacons, &c.
1745. J. Elton, in Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. V. lxvii. 306. I beg you will not lose one single thought upon me. I am, &c.
1860. All Y. Round, No. 47. 497. In the name of the indigent classes themselves … et cetera.
Mod. I remain, Yours, etc.
2. As sb. Also pl. etceteras. a. The phrase as a name for itself. Also attrib., as in Etcetera Oath, a form of oath which the convocation of 1640 attempted to impose on the English clergy: see quot. 1640 in 1.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., II. iv. 198. Come wee to full Points here, and are et cetera’s nothing.
1640. in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1721), III. II. 1206. This Clause is administer’d with an &c. which we conceive was never tendered in any Oath before now.
1640. Ld. Digby, Sp., 9 Nov. ibid. IV. III. 31. Besides the bottomless Perjury of an Et cætera.
1640. Sir J. Culpeper, ibid. IV. III. 33. Besides the Et cætera Oath.
1656. Heylin, Extraneus Vapulans, 208. I thought our Author had been such an enemy to all etcæteras, because of the mysterious import … which they carry with them.
1681. [Sir E. Harley], Ess. Peace & Truth Ch. (Fly Leaf), The Year 1640, when the Et cætera Oath was imposed.
1709. Addison, Tatler, No. 133, ¶ 7. I have by me an elaborate Treatise on the Aposiopesis call’d an Et cætera.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., III. liii. 147. An oath which contained an et cætera in the midst of it.
1853. Brimley, Ess., 24 Sept., 293. Even then, a comprehensive et cætera would be needed for supernumeraries.
b. as substitute for a suppressed substantive, generally a coarse or indelicate one.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. i. 38 (Qq.).
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Bergamasque.
1643. Myst. Iniq., 43. It is concluded and accorded betwixt the two Etcætera’s, that a Cessation of Armes … should bee agreed on.
c. A number of unspecified things or (improperly) persons.
1656. Cowley, Misc., The Chron., x. A pretty Thomasine, And then another Katherine, And then a long Et cætera.
1746. Brit. Mag., 331. A Gardner, and a long &c. of Heroes fell for our Sakes.
1824. Miss Ferrier, Inher., ix. Milton, Spenser, and a long et cetera of illustrious names.
1868. M. Pattison, Academ. Org., ii. 37. The powers … conferred on the Chancellor, including an etc. of consuetudinary privileges.
Mod. Newspaper. There were present Messrs. A., B., C., &c.
d. pl. only: Things usually included under the phrase etcetera; usual additions, extras, ‘sundries.’
1816. Keatinge, Trav. (1817), I. 232. Various fanciful forms of puddings, forced meats, minced meats, and indescribable et-ceteras.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxvi. Fifty guineas a-year without the et-ceteras.
1862. [Eliz. Johnston], Gifts & Graces, v. 62. The thousand little etceteras which had to be done the day before the move.
1884. Bazaar, 22 Dec., 664/2. These et-ceteras, by the by, must be much in the children’s way.
¶ 3. as vb. (cf. 2 b).
1867. H. Kingsley, Silcote of Silcotes, lxi. I am etcetera’d if I stand it.
Hence various whimsical nonce-words, as Etceterarist, Etceteraze v., Etceteraly adv.
1822. Blackw. Mag., XII. 56/2. To write critically, scientifically, literally, philosophically, etceteraly on all given subjects.
1831. Fraser’s Mag., III. 67. He … sowed his wild oats of course—soberized—etceterazed.
1834–37. Southey, Doctor, clxxvi. (1848), 462. The benevolent and erudite etceterarist of Bealings.
