Header image of wall of bricks Open menu Close menu

-en4

Forming noun plurals.

Middle English reduction of the earlier suffix ‑an.

The few examples (brethren, children, oxen) are survivals of a plural inflexion that was once common, until ‑s (see ‑s1) displaced it in Middle English.

Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Your comments are very welcome.