I. after letters or letter groups whose pronunc is s, z, sh, or ch: ə̇z, sometimes ÷ˌēz in some words in which an unstressed syllable precedes, as “processes”; after v or a vowel: z noun plural suffix
Etymology: Middle English -es, -s — more at -s I
1. — used to form the plural of most nouns that end in s
glass es
z
fuzz es
sh
bush es
ch
peach es
or postconsonantal y (which changes to i )
ladi es
and of some nouns ending in o
hero es
and of some nouns ending in f (which changes to v )
loav es
— compare -s I 1
2. : -s I 2
Christmas es we go to grandmother's
II. after letters or letter groups whose pronunc is s, z, sh, or ch: ə̇z; after a vowel: z verb suffix
Etymology: Middle English (Northern & North Midland) — more at -s III
1. — used to form the third person singular present indicative of most verbs that end in s
bless es
z
fizz es
sh
hush es
ch
catch es
or postconsonantal y (which changes to i )
defi es
— compare -s III 1
2. substandard : -s III 2
then I rush es over to him