et

Et is a term with multiple meanings across language, science, and culture. In language, et is the Latin conjunction meaning "and" and remains visible in modern Romance languages. It appears in common phrases such as et al. (and others) and et cetera (and the rest), and in French as the ordinary word for "and." The usage spans scholarly and legal contexts as well as everyday language.

In chemistry, Et is a standard shorthand for the ethyl group, used in reaction schemes and reagent notation. Examples include EtOH for ethanol and EtMgBr for ethylmagnesium bromide. The two-carbon ethyl substituent is a routine label in organic synthesis.

In popular culture, ET refers to the alien protagonist of Steven Spielberg’s film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). The extraterrestrial character became a cultural icon, and the acronym E.T. is widely recognized in reference to the film, its merchandise, and related media.

Notes on usage and etymology: The root et is Latin for "and," a small word with large influence, shaping phrases such as et seq. (and the following) and et al. (and others) in academic and legal writing. Capitalization varies by context: lowercase et appears in linguistic and Latin uses, while uppercase E.T. or ET is typical for the film title and acronym-based uses.