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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
The problem with virus following normal 2nd declension forms is that it conflicts with vir in every case except the nominative singular. Also, I don't see why you'd reject neuter gender for a 2nd declension noun. Most, if not all, 2nd declension nouns are either masculine or neuter, and, while my Latin text says that all 2nd declension nouns ending in -um are neuter, it does *not say that all 2nd declension nouns ending in -us are masculine. All three dictionaries I have say virus is neuter.


Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624
Well I've been relying entirely on Notre Dame's on-line dictionary. It would be unusual - very - if it follows f/m second dec format and is neuter ... why wouldn't it be virum in that case? Ah well, language is like any organism. No matter how well controlled the heat, the water and the nutrients, the organism does as it damned well pleases.


Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Perhaps you have forgotten that 1st declension is primarily feminine, 2nd is primarily masculine and neuter.


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