Foreign Plurals
From Latin
alumna (sg.) /əˈlʌmnə/
alumnae (pl.) /əˈlʌmniː/: a former woman student of a school,
college or university.
Antenna (sg) /ænˈtenə/
antennae (pl) /ænˈteniː/: two long thin
parts on the heads of some insects. E.g. Snails have antennae and a pair of
well-defined eyes. We have noses which help us smell the world around us.
Insects use their antennae. (Figurative) The minister was praised for his acute
political antennae (= ability to understand complicated political situations).
plural antennas
or antennae /ænˈteniː/: (especially
North American English) (British English also aerial) a piece of
equipment for receiving or sending radio and television signals. E.g. radio
antennas.
formula (sg) /ˈfɔːmjələ/
formulae (pl) /ˈfɔːmjəliː/ /-laɪ/ (especially in scientific use) or formulas (pl) E.g. Such formulae are the key to solving an equation with variables.
The truth is, there are no magic formulas,
no perfect tricks of the trade in matters of love.
Nebula (sg) /ˈnebjələ/
nebulae (pl) /ˈnebjəliː/ a mass of dust
or gas that can be seen in the night sky, often appearing very bright; a bright
area in the night sky caused by a large cloud of stars that are far away.
Sp. Nebulosa. E.g. Nebulae are beautiful and fascinating things that are common in
our universe.
Appendix (sg) /əˈpendɪks/
appendices
(pl) /əˈpendɪsiːz/ or appendixes /
əˈpendɪksɪz/: e.g. please check the Appendices in the back of the book for a
great deal of other information.
index (sg) /ˈɪndeks/
indices (pl) /ˈɪndɪsiːz/ or indexes
(pl) /ˈɪndeksɪz/
plural indexes:
a list of names or topics that are referred to in a book, etc, usually arranged
at the end of a book in alphabetical order or listed in a separate file or
book. Sp. Índice. E.g. Look it up in the index. Author and subject indexes are
available on a library database.
plural indexes or
indices: a system that shows the level of prices and wages, etc. so that
they can be compared with those of a previous date. E.g. the cost-of-living
index. The Dow Jones index fell 15 points this morning. Stock-market indices.
House price indexes. The retail price index (Sp. el índice de precios al consumo).
matrix (sg) /ˈmeɪtrɪks/
matrices
(pl) /ˈmeɪtrɪsiːz/ matrixes (pl) /ˈmeɪtrɪksɪz/
(mathematics)
an arrangement of numbers, symbols, etc. in rows and columns, treated as a
single quantity
(formal)
the formal social, political, etc. situation from which a society or person
grows and develops. E.g. the European cultural matrix.
(formal or
literary) a system of lines, roads, etc. that cross each other, forming a
series of squares or shapes in between. Network. E.g. a matrix of paths
vertex (sg) /ˈvɜːteks/
vertices
(pl) /ˈvɜːtɪsiːz/ or vertexes (pl) /ˈvɜːteksɪz/
(geometry) a point where two lines meet to form an angle, especially the point
of a triangle or cone opposite the base. Vértice.
Analysis (sg) /əˈnæləsɪs/
analyses
(pl) /əˈnæləsiːz/: e.g. The book is an analysis of poverty and its causes.
Further analyses have to be
performed to obtain reliable results.
Basis (sg) /ˈbeɪsɪs/
bases
(pl) /ˈbeɪsiːz/: e.g. The bases for a good interview are simple enough. The
bases of a good marriage are love and trust.
axis (sg) /ˈæksɪs/
axes
(pl) /ˈæksiːz/
an imaginary line through the centre of an object,
around which the object turns. Eje. E.g. Mars takes longer to revolve on its
axis than the Earth.
a fixed line against which the positions of points are
measured, especially points on a graph. Eje. E.g. the vertical/horizontal
axis. The real wage is measured along the horizontal axis and the quantity
of labour is measured along the vertical axis. Use a ruler to draw the axes on
the graph.
crisis (sg) /ˈkraɪsɪs/
crises (pl) /ˈkraɪsiːz/ E.g. Crises are
opportunities to learn and to improve.
Diagnosis (sg) /ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs/
diagnoses (pl) /ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊsiːz/: e.g. more
accurate diagnoses were made, resulting in benefit for patients and society.
Hypothesis (sg) /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/
hypotheses (pl) /haɪˈpɒθəsiːz/: e.g. There
is little evidence to support these hypotheses.
Neurosis (sg) /njʊəˈrəʊsɪs/
neuroses (pl) /njʊəˈrəʊsiːz/: E.g. Neuroses
have been regarded throughout the history of modern psychology to be the result
of secrets.
Oasis (sg) /əʊˈeɪsɪs/
oases (pl) /əʊˈeɪsiːz/: e.g. Surrounded
by sand and sky, the oases have a
sense of timelessness rare in the 20th century. Man and nature have co-existed
here since the Stone Age.
Parenthesis (sg) /pəˈrenθəsɪs/
parentheses (pl) /pəˈrenθəsiːz/: Irregular
forms are given in parentheses.
Synopsis (sg) /sɪˈnɒpsɪs/
synopses (pl) /sɪˈnɒpsiːz/: e.g. These
brief synopses help to clarify longer explanations.
testis (sg) /ˈtestɪs/
testes (pl) /ˈtestiːz/: a testicle
thesis (sg) /ˈθiːsɪs/
theses (pl) /ˈθiːsiːz/: e.g. Both of these two theses are supported by a wealth of historical reference.
series (sg) /ˈsɪəriːz/
series (pl) /ˈsɪəriːz/: E.g. The
incident sparked off a whole series of events that nobody had foreseen. All
these series of unfortunate events
happen for a reason. This new series is scheduled to air this Oct.
species (sg) /ˈspiːʃiːz/
/ ˈspiːsiːz/
species (pl) /ˈspiːʃiːz/ / ˈspiːsiːz/: E.g. a rare species of
beetle.
Automaton (sg) /ɔːˈtɒmətən/
automata (pl) /ɔːˈtɒmətə / or automatons (pl)
a person who behaves like a machine, without thinking
or feeling anything. E.g. He is an automaton, just doing whatever he is
told to do. In this way, they are like automata or robots in that they do
exactly what they are told.
a machine that moves without human control; a small robot.
E.g Examples of automata are robots that vacuum floors without being pushed by
a person.
Criterion (sg) /kraɪˈtɪəriən/
criteria (pl) /kraɪˈtɪəriə/: a standard
or principle by which something is judged, or with the help of which a decision
is made. E.g. The main criterion is value for money. What criteria are used for
assessing a student's ability?
Phenomenon (sg) /fəˈnɒmɪnən/
phenomena (pl) /fəˈnɒmənə/: a fact or an event in nature or
society, especially one that is not fully understood. E.g. cultural/natural/social
phenomena. Globalization is a phenomenon of the 21st century. Early
retirement is a relatively new phenomenon in Britain.
Addendum (sg) /əˈdendəm/
addenda (pl) / əˈdendə/: e.g. addenda are sections of extra
information that is added to something, especially to books.
Bacterium (sg) /bækˈtɪəriəm/
bacteria (pl) /bækˈtɪəriə/: E.g. Bacteria
exist in large numbers in air, water and soil, and also in living and dead
creatures and plants, and are often a cause of disease.
Corrigendum (sg) /ˌkɒrɪˈdʒendəm/
corrigenda (pl) /ˌkɒrɪˈdʒendə/
erratum /eˈrɑːtəm/
errata /eˈrɑːtə/: something to be corrected, especially a mistake
in a printed book. E.g. An erratum
or corrigendum is a correction of a
book. An erratum is most commonly
issued shortly after its original text is published. The following corrigenda are available for this
publication. A list of errata was
printed at the back of the book.
Curriculum (sg) /kəˈrɪkjələm/
curricula (pl) /kəˈrɪkjələ/ or curriculums (pl): The subjects
that are included in a course of study or taught in a school, college, etc.
E.g. the school curriculum. Curricula are crucial to running a coherent class
because it is only through clear curricula that teachers (and administrators)
can easily have access to the goals and intentions for a class. It is then from
these curricula that lesson plans are derived.
Desideratum (sg) /dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm/ or
/dɪˌzɪdəˈreɪtəm/
desiderata (pl)
/dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtə/ or /dɪˌzɪdəˈreɪtə/ a thing that is wanted or needed. E.g. my
desiderata have been satisfied.
Medium (sg) /ˈmiːdiəm/
media (pl) /ˈmiːdiə/: E.g. the medium
of radio/television. In short, the mass media are interested in attracting audiences with buying
power.
the media [uncountable + singular or plural verb] the
main ways that large numbers of people receive information and
entertainment, that is television, radio, newspapers and the Internet. E.g. The media was/were accused of influencing the final decision.
Plural mediums /ˈmiːdiəmz/: a person who claims to be able to communicate
with the spirits of dead people.
Memorandum (sg) /ˌmeməˈrændəm
/
memoranda (pl) /ˌmeməˈrændə /. Also memo (sg) /ˈmeməʊ / memos (pl): an official note from
one person to another in the same organization. E.g. To write/send/circulate
a memo. An internal memorandum. Leaks of confidential memoranda.
Millennium (sg) /mɪˈleniəm /
millennia (pl) /mɪˈleniə / or millenniums: E.g. For millennia, it was
accepted that the earth was at the centre of the universe.
Ovum (sg) /ˈəʊvəm/
ova (pl) /ˈəʊvə/: e.g. Ova (óvulos) are female reproductive cells.
Stratum (sg) /ˈstrɑːtəm/ (Br) or / ˈstreɪtəm/
(Am)
strata (pl) /ˈstrɑːtə/ (Br) or
/ˈstreɪtə/ (Am): E.g. Excavated coins can often be dated from other objects in
the same stratum. People from all
social strata.
Symposium (sg) / sɪmˈpəʊziəm/
symposia (pl) / sɪmˈpəʊziə/ or symposiums (pl): e.g. Past symposia
have covered a wide range of topics.
Agenda (pl) /əˈdʒendə/ (generally accepted
as a singular noun and the plural is
agendas
/əˈdʒendəz/ : e.g. is there an agenda for the meeting? (Sp. orden del día)
Datum /ˈdeɪtəm/
Data (pl) /ˈdeɪtə/ /ˈdɑːtə/ (data
is also accepted as an uncountable noun): e.g. the results of the experiment
are still uncertain: there are/is not enough data yet.
Corpus (sg) /ˈkɔːpəs/
corpora (pl) /ˈkɔːpərə / or corpuses
/ˈkɔːpəsɪz /: a collection of written or spoken texts. E.g. a corpus of 100 million words
of spoken English. The whole corpus of Renaissance poetry. All the corpora are taken from
written data of different sources.
Genus (sg) /ˈdʒiːnəs/
genera (pl) /ˈdʒenərə/: a group into
which animals, plants, etc. that have similar characteristics are divided. E.g.
Homo is the genus that includes modern humans and species closely related to
them. Genera are used to classify
groups of species. Occasionally new plant genera
are found in the wild. More frequently, however, new genera are identified in the laboratory.
viscus (sg) /ˈvɪskəs /
viscera (pl)
/ˈvɪsərə/: an internal organ. E.g. Viscera
are the large organs inside the body, such as the heart, liver, and
stomach.
Census (sg) /ˈsensəs /
censuses (pl)/ ˈsensəsɪz /: the process
of officially counting something, especially a country's population, and
recording various facts. E.g. to take a census.
Prospectus (sg) /prəˈspektəs /
prospectuses (pl)/ prəˈspektəsɪz / a
book or printed document that gives information about a school, college, etc.
in order to advertise it. E.g. order a prospectus from the
university you are planning to attend and find out the entry requirements.
Alumnus (sg) /əˈlʌmnəs /
alumni (pl) /əˈlʌmnaɪ / a former male student of a school,
college or university.
Cactus (sg) / ˈkæktəs /
cactuses/ˈkæktəsɪz/ or cacti (pl) / ˈkæktaɪ/ or /ˈkæktiː/:
E.g. Desert cacti are available in a variety of interesting forms.
Fungus (sg) /ˈfʌŋɡəs/
fungi (pl) /ˈfʌŋɡiː/ /ˈfʌŋɡaɪ/ or /ˈfʌndʒaɪ/ : any plant without
leaves, flowers or green colouring, usually growing on other plants or on
decaying matter. E.g. Mushrooms and mildew (/ˈmɪldjuː/ moho) are both fungi.
Hippopotamus (sg) /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/
hippopotamuses (pl) /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməsɪz/ or
hippopotami (pl) /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəmaɪ/.
Also informal hippo / ˈhɪp əʊ/ hippos / ˈhɪp əʊz/
Nucleus (sg) /ˈnjuːkliəs/
nuclei (pl) /ˈnjuːkliaɪ/ or
/ˈnjuːkliiː/: E.g. These paintings will form the nucleus of a new collection. The
cultural nuclei of a city give a good service to communities and
neighbourhoods.
Radius (sg) / ˈreɪdiəs/
radii (pl) / ˈreɪdiaɪ/ or radiuses
a straight line between the centre
of a circle and any point on its outer edge; the length of this line.
a round area that covers the
distance mentioned from a central point. E.g. They deliver to within a 5-mile
radius of the store. Doctors wish to examine everyone living within a 10-mile
radius of the factory. This was repeated at five scales, within radii of one kilometre, five, 10, 20 and 30 kilometres from
the survey point.
Stimulus (sg) /ˈstɪmjələs/
stimuli (pl) /ˈstɪmjəlaɪ/ /ˈstɪmjəliː/
something that helps
somebody/something to develop better or more quickly. E.g. Books provide
children with ideas and a stimulus for play. The new tax laws should act as a
stimulus to exports.
something that produces a reaction
in a human, an animal or a plant. E.g.
sensory/verbal/visual stimuli.
The animals were conditioned to respond to auditory stimuli (= sounds).
Syllabus (sg) / ˈsɪləbəs /
syllabi / ˈsɪləbaɪ / or syllabuses
/ ˈsɪləbəsɪz/ (in fact the Latin plural is syllabūs): a list of the topics,
books, etc. that students should study in a particular subject at school or college.
E.g. these syllabi are provided so that students can get a general idea of what
is taught in each course.
Terminus (sg) /ˈtɜːmɪnəs/
termini (pl) /ˈtɜːmɪnaɪ/ or terminuses: the last station at the end
of a railway/railroad line or the last stop on a bus route. E.g. there is still
a long way to go before we reach the
terminus. Most trains depart from or arrive at their termini at fairly reasonable hours -- during the day or the
evening. Once they arrive at their termini,
the buses leave.
From Greek
Schema (sg) /ˈskiːmə/
schemas or schemata (pl)
/ˈskiːmətə/ or /skiːˈmɑːtə/: an outline of a plan or
theory. E.g. an attempt to reduce complex economic theory to a simple schema. Schemata are an effective tool for
understanding the world.
From French
Bureau (sg) /ˈbjʊərəʊ/
bureaux (pl) /ˈbjʊərəʊ/ or /ˈbjʊərəʊz/ or
bureaus (pl) /ˈbjʊərəʊz/: Office or
government department. E.g. The latest survey shows that the bureaux deal with more than half a million problems
regarding benefits.
Plateau (sg) /ˈplætəʊ /
plateaux (pl) /ˈplætəʊz/or /ˈplætəʊ /
or plateaus (pl) /ˈplætəʊz/: In
general these plateaux (mesetas) have an elevation of about 700 metres.
Tableau (sg) /ˈtæbləʊ/
tableaux (pl) /ˈtæbləʊ/ or /ˈtæbləʊz/: Both of these tableaux
(retablos) show the same effort of preservation and renewal.
Trousseau (sg) /ˈtruːsəʊ/
trousseaux (pl) /ˈtruːsəʊz/ or trousseaus (pl) /ˈtruːsəʊz/: the
clothes and other possessions collected by a woman who is soon going to get
married, to begin her married life with. E.g. Trousseaux were large trunks
filled with everything that a new wife would need to begin her household.
Chassis (sg) /ˈʃæsi/
chassis (pl) / ˈʃæsiz/: e.g. the car needed a complete rebuild as the
Chassis was damaged in the accident.
From Italian
Libretto (sg) / lɪˈbretəʊ/
libretti (pl) / lɪˈbretiː/ or librettos (pl): e.g. The libretti
contain the words that are sung or spoken in operas or musical plays.
Tempo (sg) /ˈtempəʊ/
tempi (pl) /ˈtempiː/: the speed or rhythm of a piece of
music. E.g. The tempi are fast.
Virtuoso (sg) /ˌvɜːtʃuˈəʊsəʊ/ or
/ˌvɜːtʃuˈəʊzəʊ/
virtuosi (pl) /
ˌvɜːtʃuˈəʊsiː/ or / ˌvɜːtʃuˈəʊziː/: a person who is extremely skilful at doing
something, especially playing a musical instrument. E.g. you will hear two
piano virtuosi in concert.
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