51 basis 5. -o (Italian) becomes -i: concerto grosso (concerti grossi) graffito ripieno maestro virtuoso Note: solo and soprano sometimes have -i in technical contexts (otherwise regular). 6. -on (Greek) becomes -a: criterion parhelion phenomenon Note: The plural of automaton is in -a when used collectively (otherwise regular). 7. -s (French) is unchanged in the plural (Note: it is silent in the singular, but pronounced -z in the plural): chamois corps fracas chassis faux pas patois Also (not a noun in French): rendezvous. 8. -um (Latin) becomes -a: addendum datum maximum bacterium desideratum minimum candelabrum dictum quantum compendium effluvium scholium corrigendum emporium spectrum cranium epithalamium speculum crematorium erratum stratum curriculum Note: medium in scientific use, and in the sense 'a means of communication' (as mass medium ) has plural in -a; the collective plural of memorandum 'things to be noted' is in -a; rostrum has -a in technical use; otherwise these words are regular. In the technical sense 'starting-point' datum has a regular plural. 9. -us (Latin) becomes -i: alumnus fungus nucleus 51
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