-s

I. noun plural suffix Etymology: Middle English -es, -s, from Old English -as, nominative & accusative plural ending of some masculine nouns; akin to Old Saxon -os — used to form the plural of most nouns that do not end in s, z, sh, ch, or postconsonantal y <

heads

> <

books

> <

boys

> <

beliefs

>, to form the plural of proper nouns that end in postconsonantal y <

Marys

>, and with or without a preceding apostrophe to form the plural of abbreviations, numbers, letters, and symbols used as nouns <

MCs

> <

PhD's

> <

4s

> <

the 1940's

> <

$s

> <

B's

> — compare -es I II. adverb suffix Etymology: Middle English -es, -s, plural ending of nouns, from -es, genitive singular ending of nouns (functioning adverbially), from Old English -es — used to form adverbs denoting usual or repeated action or state <

always at home Sundays

> <

mornings he stops by the newsstand

> III. verb suffix Etymology: Middle English (Northern & North Midland dialect) -es, from Old English (Northumbrian dialect) -es, -as, probably from Old English -es, -as, 2d singular present indicative ending — more at -est — used to form the third person singular present of most verbs that do not end in s, z, sh, ch, or postconsonantal y <

falls

> <

takes

> <

plays

> — compare -es II