Number is the distinction of objects, as one or more. Nouns are of two
numbers, the singular and the plural.

The _singular_ number implies but one; as, a _book_.

The _plural_ number implies more than one; as, _books_.

NOTES.

1. Some nouns are used only in the singular form; as, hemp, flax,
barley, wheat, pitch, gold, sloth, pride, honesty, meekness,
compassion, &c.; others only in the plural form; as, bellows,
scissors, ashes, riches, snuffers, tongs, thanks, wages, embers,
ides, pains, vespers, &c.

2. Some words are the same in both numbers; as, deer, sheep, swine;
and, also, hiatus, apparatus, series, species.

3. The plural number of nouns is generally formed by adding _s_ to
the singular; as, dove, doves; face, faces; but sometimes we add
_es_ in the plural; as, box, boxes; church, churches; lash, lashes;
cargo, cargoes.

4. Nouns ending in _f_ or _fe_, are rendered plural by a change of
that termination into _ves_; as, half, halves; wife, wives: except
grief, relief, reproof, and several others, which form their plurals
by the addition of _s_. Those ending in _ff_, have the regular
plural; as, ruff, ruffs; except staff, staves.