et cetera

American  

[et set-er-uh, se-truh] / ɛt ˈsɛt ər ə, ˈsɛ trə /

adverb

1. and others; and so forth; and so on (used to indicate that more of the same sort or class might have been mentioned, but for brevity have been omitted): etc.

   He had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, frogs, et cetera, as pets.

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et cetera British  

/ ɪt ˈsɛtrə /

1. and the rest; and others; and so forth: used at the end of a list to indicate that other items of the same class or type should be considered or included

2. or the like; or something else similar

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Pronunciation

Pronunciations with substituted for the first : , or , although occasionally used by educated speakers, are usually considered nonstandard.

Usage

Et cetera , a Latin phrase, appears in English writing most frequently in its abbreviated form, etc . This phrase is used frequently in technical and business writing, somewhat less frequently in general informal writing, and sometimes in literary or formal writing. Expressions such as and so forth and and so on are useful substitutes. Because “and” is included in the meaning of et cetera , the expression and et cetera is redundant.

It is unnecessary to use and before etc as etc ( et cetera ) already means and other things. The repetition of etc, as in he brought paper, ink, notebooks, etc, etc, is avoided except in informal contexts

Etymology

Origin of et cetera

First recorded 1100–50; late Old English, from Latin et cētera, equivalent to et “and” + cētera, accusative neuter plural of cēterus “the rest of, the remainder”

Example Sentences

"Cantonment Et Cetera would be a trifle lengthy, wouldn't it?" put in the Doctor, his endurance on the wane.

From The Jimmyjohn Boss and Other Stories by Wister, Owen

After the seemingly endless ceremonies and ceremonials, after the Inaugural Ball, and the Inaugural Supper, and the Inaugural Et Cetera, President James Cannon went to bed, complaining of a "slight headache".

From Hail to the Chief by Schoenherr, John