In the previous lessons, we introduced the study of irregular nouns in Latin and looked at nouns which are irregular in Number. As said before, this is not intended to be an exhaustive study of irregular nouns because that would not be a good use of time. Our goal is to simply become aware of irregular nouns so that when you see them, you are not confused. In this lesson, we will study irregular nouns which are irregular with regard to gender.
To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks:
- Study the lesson for mastery.
- Complete the lesson assessment.
The content of this lesson is taken from chapter 24 of Alvarez’s Latin Grammar.
Lesson
l. Quaedam singulari numero sunt masculina, plurali neutra, ut: sibilus, sibila.
Translation: Certain irregular nouns are masculine in the singular number, but neuter in the plural, as: sibilus, sibila (hissing sound).
Here, we find an example of an irregular noun which is of the masculine gender in the singular (like dominus), but neuter in the plural (like templa).
ll. Quaedam singulari foeminina, plurali neutra, ut: carbasus, carbasa.
Translation: Certain irregular nouns are feminine in the singular number, but neuter in the plural, as: carbasus, carbasa (sail).
There are also irregular nouns which are feminine in the singular (even though they end in -us) and neuter in the plural.
lll. Quaedam singulari neutra, plurali masculina, ut: Argos, plur. Argi, Argorum; plus in singulari neutrum, in plurali hi et hae plures et haec plura.
Translation: Certain irregular nouns are neuter in the plural, but masculine in the plural, as: Argos, plur. Argi, Argorum; plus (more) in the singular neuter, in the plural masculine and feminine plures and neuter plura.
Here we learn of irregular nouns which are neuter in the singular number and masculine in the plural. The first example is the name of the Greek city Argos (neuter), which is Argi, Argorum (masculine) in the plural. The second example is plus, which is neuter in the singular and of all genders (plures, plures, plura) in the plural.
Conclusion
As in the previous lesson, this lesson simply introduces us to irregular nouns that vary in gender between the singular and plural numbers. There are many more, so be on the lookout for them in your Latin reading lessons.
If you’d like to dig deeper into irregular nouns, study the chapter on Heteroclite nouns in Lily’s Latin Grammar.
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