Greek plurals (was: OT Plectrums)

Mark J. Reed wrote:
> On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 20:05:49 +0100, R A Brown
>  <ray@...> wrote:
>
>>Oh yes, before some writes in, I do know that _Latin_ plural of
>>'plectrum' is 'plectra.' Indeed, 'plectra' /ple:ktra/ was also the
>>ancient (non-Doric) Greek plural; but their singular was 'plectron'  :)
>
>
> So then I guess "Elektra" is the plural of "electron"?
Nope - but _criterion ~ criteria_ does work.

Although "electron" is taken from Greek, it does not keep anything
resembling its Greek meaning, which was _amber_ or, indeed, 'electron'
in the sense of "an alloy of gold and silver" (a more ancient use than
the naming of a sub-atomic particle). In Greek, indeed, _elekta_
(ήλεκτρα) is the plural, meaning "pieces of amber."

But 'Electra/ Elektra'(Ηλέκτρα) with the capital E (_eta_) and, in
Greek, a long final -a,  is a feminine singular. If there were more one
Elektra, we'd have 'Elektrai'      ;)

--
Ray
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ray@carolandray.plus.com
http://www.carolandray.plus.com
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Nid rhy hen neb i ddysgu.
There's none too old to learn.
[WELSH PROVERB]

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