LESSON XVI.

Note the following peculiarities:

1. Nouns used only in the plural:—

aborigines,antipodes,annals,banns,bellows,breeches,

matins,measles,news,nuptials,oats,pincers,

scissors,shears,tidings,trousers,vespers,victuals.

2. Nouns that have the same form in both numbers:—

deer,trout,sheep,heathen,perch,

grouse,salmon,swine,cannon,pike.

3. Nouns with two plurals, differing in meaning:—

Singular. Plural.Plural.

penny,pennies (a number.)pence (a sum.)

pea,peas (a number.)pease (a quantity.)

brother,brothers (same family.)brethren (same society.)

die,dies (for stamping.)dice (for gaming.)

cloth,cloths (kinds of cloth.)clothes (garments.)

index,indexes (to a book.)indices (in algebra.)

genius,geniuses (men of talent.)genii (spirits.)

4. Nouns with a different meaning in the plural:—

compass,compasses,

iron,irons,

good,goods,

salt,salts,

corn,corns.

5. Nouns with two meanings in the plural:—

Singular.Plural.Plural.

custom,customs (habits.)customs (revenue duties.)

letter,letters (alphabet.)letters (literature.)

number,numbers (in counting.)numbers (poetry.)

part,parts (divisions.)parts (abilities.)