Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Plural/Pluralia Tantum
(688 words)

Abstract

The flexible distribution of the plural number in Ancient Greek is discussed in this entry, focusing on the one hand on its possible overlap with the singular and on the other on the use of pluralia tantum.

The plural number is used in Ancient Greek to denote more than two referents; in the latter case, the dual should be used. Unlike the dual, the plural is productive and fully integrated into the Ancient Greek number system. This especially becomes evident in pluralia tantum, used for referents that occur in a multitude or consist …

Cite this page
Carlotta Viti, “Plural/Pluralia Tantum”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 01 April 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_SIM_00000513>
First published online: 2013



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