1. fate; destiny (esp. as a mysterious force that binds two people together)
2. relationship (e.g. between two people); bond; link; connection
3. family ties; affinity
4. opportunity; chance (to meet someone and start a relationship)
when read as "えん"
5. pratyaya (indirect conditions, as opposed to direct causes)
when read as "えん"
6. narrow open-air veranda
also written as 椽
when read as "えん"