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):
He had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, frogs, et cetera, as pets.
Abbreviation: etc.
Origin
1100-50;late Old English < Latin
Usage note
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.
Pronunciation note
Pronunciations with
[k] /k/ (Show IPA) substituted for the first
[t] /t/
[ek-set-er-uh] /ɛkˈsɛt ər ə/ or
[ek-se-truh] /ɛkˈsɛ trə/ although occasionally used by educated speakers, are usually considered nonstandard.
British Dictionary definitions for et cetera
et cetera
/ɪt ˈsɛtrə/
uknown
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
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
Word Origin
from Latin, from et and + cetera the other (things)
Word Origin and History for et cetera
also etcetera, early 15c., from Latin et cetera, literally "and the others," from et "and" + neuter of ceteri "the others." The common abbreviation was &c. before 20c., but etc. now prevails.