[Klug-general] Virii?

George Prowse cokehabit at gmail.com
Fri Nov 30 22:00:42 GMT 2007


Philippe Yates wrote:
>> Linux is only really more secure at the moment because there are no
>> active Linux virii or Linux spyware.
> Am I the only one to find using "virii" as a plural for virus bizarre?
> In English it would be usual to write "viruses".
> If it is an attempt at using a Latin plural, then I'm afraid it is
> flawed. "Virus" is neuter and not masculine in Latin, therefore the
> plural is "vira". "Virii" would come from a noun created from the verb
> "virere" - to be green or verdant - and so would mean something like "be
> green", or "be full of youthful vigour". "Viri" is also to be avoided
> since it means "men".
> I know most people reading this will think "smart a****" but, although
> keen to learn in the little time I have free, I know very little about
> computers and so being able to add something to the knowledge of this
> group is a privilege I can rarely exercise. Thank you for indulging me
> by reading this.
> Fraternally,
> Philippe
> 
It looks wrong because it is, virii is not the plural for virus, viruses is.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=define%3Aviruses&btnG=Google+Search&meta=



More information about the Kent mailing list