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.
Other countries may reckon up as many poets as they please; England has one more.
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.
“A doctor, both to sheep and swine,”
Said Mrs. Glass, “I am;
For legs of mutton I can dress,
And shine in curing ham.”
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!