In words like _nature_, _fortune_, _science_, the final _-e_ is sounded if the accent is on the second syllable, but is usually dropped if it falls on the first. The same usage prevails with regard to the plural suffix _-es_. Hence we find the plurals _fl['o]ur-es_, _['a]vent['u]r-es_ on the one hand, and _p['i]lour-s_, _l['a]zar-s_ on the other; and _p['i]lgrimes_ is pronounced as _pilgrims_. So also _a['u]ditours_, because the accent on _ou_ is only secondary. _Ep['i]stell[`e]s_ (B 55) is a 'learned' form. Words in _-nt_ usually have the plural in _-nts_, often written _-ntz_; as _tyraunts_ or _tyrauntz_. The A.F. _z_ had the sound of _ts_. A remarkable plural occurs in _org[`o]n_ or _org[`o][`o]n_ (cf. Lat. _organa_). Words in _s_ remain unchanged in the gen. sing. and in the pl. Thus _Bachus_, in Leg. 2376, is a gen. sing.; and _caas_, in A 323, is plural. The pl. of _advocat_ is _advocats_, with mute _t_, which might be written _advocaas_; and _condys_ (for _condyts_ with mute _t_) occurs as the pl. of _condyt_. s. 78. ADJECTIVES. These occur both in the indefinite and in the definite form. The latter is known by its being preceded by the definite article, or a demonstrative or possessive pronoun, in which case it takes a final _-e_; as _the yonge_, _his halfe_, _this ilke_. Also when used in the vocative case, as _O strange god_, A 2373. The indefinite form usually follows the A.S. type, and so depends upon the etymology. Hence we find, on the one hand, _blak_, _good_, _foul_; and, on the other, _sw[=e]te_, _gr[=e]ne_, _sh[=e]ne_, _k[=e]ne_, where the long _e_ is due to mutation in a _jo_-stem, and the final _-e_ represents a faint survival of that stem. So also _clene_ (with open long _e_), _dere_, _drye_, _blythe_; and even _softe_, _swote_ (without mutation). Other dissyllables are _fewe_, _newe_, _trewe_, _riche_, _sene_ (visible), _narwe_ (nar.u), _stille_, _thikke_, _wilde_. _Moche_ is due to loss of _l_ in _mochel_; so, perhaps, _lyte_ for _lytel_. Several adjectives, however, occur in Chaucer with a final _-e_ in the indefinite form, contrary to the A.S. usage. Examples: _bare_, _fayre_, _fresshe_, _longe_, _tame_. So also _badde_, _meke_. In some cases, the final _-e_ may be due to old usage; thus, in B 50, we find _Of olde tyme_, A.S. _of ealdum t[=i]man_. The plural of monosyllabic adjectives ends in _-e_. The same is the case with some of the pronouns and many of the cardinal numbers. Even monosyllabic past participles, when used adjectivally, may have a plural in _-e_, as: _with y[:e]n faste y-shette_; B 560[64]; _eres spradde_, T. iv. 1422; _bente_, T. iv. 40: indeed, we even find this plural form after the word _weren_, as in _weren fledde_, T. i. 463; _weren whette_, T. v. 1760. So too _y-mette_, B 1115. But adjectives and participles of more than one syllable usually remain unaltered in the plural.