Section Iii. of Number.

Number is the consideration of an object as one or more; as, one poet, two, three, four, five poets; and so on, ad infinitum.

The singular number expresses one object only; as a towel, a viper.

The plural signifies more objects than one; as, towels, vipers.

Some nouns are used only in the singular number; dirt, pitch, tallow, grease, filth, butter, asparagus, &c.; others only in the plural; as, galligaskins, breeches, &c.

Some words are the same in both numbers; as, sheep, swine, and some others.

The plural number of nouns is usually formed by adding s to the singular; as, dove, doves, love, loves, &c.

Julia, dove returns to dove, Quid pro quo, and love for love; Happy in our mutual loves, Let us live like turtle doves!

When, {035}however, the substantive singular ends in x, ch softy sh, ss, or s, we add es in the plural.

But remember, though box In the plural makes boxes, That the plural of ox Should be oxen, not oxes.