【趣谈英语】单词“Scissors”没有单数形式-The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun（在线收听）

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

defective: doesn’t function normally; imperfect

agreement: when the subject corresponds with the correct version of the verb

panties: female underwear

boxers: male underwear that is shaped like shorts

wordsmith: a person who is interested in and skilled with words

The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun

In English, there are a few nouns that only have a plural form. The word “scissors” is one example. There is no singular form of this word and it requires plural agreement. For example: The scissors are on the table. To make this tool singular, you have to use “a pair of scissors”. Other words that don’t have a singular form are “pants”, “shorts”, “glasses (eyeglasses)”, “goggles”, “panties” and “boxers”. The Latin word for this concept is “plurale tantum”, which means plural only. Some wordsmiths prefer the term “defective nouns”.