Amiantuses

/ˌæmiænˈtəsɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural form of amiantus; multiple specimens or varieties of soft, silky asbestos.

Etymology

The Latin nominative 'amiantus' plus the English regular plural suffix '-es.' This shows how English adapted Latin scientific terms by adding native plural endings rather than using Latin pluralization rules consistently.

Kelly Says

Medieval science writers couldn't decide whether to pluralize Latin words the Latin way ('amiantai') or the English way ('amiantuses')—and English basically said 'why not English?' and won, showing how English absorbed technical Latin but remained stubbornly English in its habits.

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