Se

¹ American  

Symbol, Chemistry.

1. selenium.

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SE ² American  

Or S.E.

1. southeast.

2. southeastern.

3. Standard English.

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se- ³ American  

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “apart”.

   seduce; select.

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Se ¹ British  

symbol

1. selenium

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SE ² British  

symbol

1. southeast(ern)

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se ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Sweden

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Etymology

Origin of se-

< Latin sē ( d ) (preposition), sē- (prefix) without, apart

Example Sentences

The executive director’s words echoed ones she’d written in the Pro Se newsletter when she warned of the staffing shortage: “These factors in my view are a recipe for increased tensions unprecedented since Attica.”

From Slate • Oct. 8, 2025

Cal State Channel Islands recently held its 2025 Sí Se Pudo Recognition Ceremony, an annual graduation celebration hosted on campus.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2025

It appears on the menu at Dil Se, a well-regarded Toronto restaurant that, along with others, was highlighted in the episode as a source of inspiration.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

The Canarias Se Agota movement believes the numbers of tourists are excessive, making the islands less inhabitable for locals, impacting the environment and pushing up housing costs.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2024

I was an empty house with a sign in front, Se Vende, For Sale.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez