-ae
suffix
forming plural nouns ［构成复数名词］
1.
- used in names of animal and plant families and other groups［用于动植物科名和其他类群名称］：
-
Felidae
Gymnospermae.
2.
- used instead of -as in the plural of many non-naturalized or unfamiliar nouns ending in -a derived from Latin or Greek［代替-as, 用于从拉丁语或希腊语派生出的以-a结尾的尚未归化的新名词］：
-
striae
larvae.
词源
Latin plural suffix， or representing the Greek plural ending -ai.
-ae
occasional plural suffix of words ending in -a, most of which, in English, are from Latin nominative fem. singular nouns, which in Latin form their plurals in -ae. But plurals in -s were established early in English for many of them (such as idea, arena) and many have crossed over since. Now it is not possible to insist on purity one way or the other without breeding monsters.
-ae-æ
Suffix
- plural of -a
Etymology
Representing both nominative and vocative plural case endings belonging to Latin first-declension feminine nouns.
Usage notes
Derived terms
Category:English irregular plurals ending in "-ae"