I. s after a vȯiceless consonant sound, z after a vȯiced consonant sound or a vowel sound noun plural suffix
Etymology: Middle English -es, -s, from Old English -as, nominative & accusative plural ending of some masculine nouns; akin to Old Saxon -os, nominative & accusative plural ending of some masculine nouns, and probably to Sanskrit (Vedic) -āsas, nominative plural ending of some masculine nouns
1.
a. — used to form the plural of most nouns that do not end in s, z, sh, ch, or postconsonantal y
head s
book s
boy s
belief s
parade s
state s
— compare -es I 1
b. — used to form the plural of proper nouns that end in postconsonantal y
Italy s
Mary s
c. — used to form the plural of abbreviations, numbers, letters, and symbols used as nouns
MC s
4 s
# s
and often preceded by an apostrophe
B's
p's
&' s
2.
[Middle English -es, -s, plural ending of nouns, from -es, -s, gen. singular ending of nouns (functioning adverbially, as in nedes needs, alweys always), from Old English -es \]
— used to form plural nouns with adverbial function denoting usual or repeated action or state
always at home Sunday s
can reach him there mealtime s
morning s he stops by the newsstand
— compare -es I 2
II. noun suffix
— used to form nicknames expressing affection or familiarity
Mom s
Dad s
or designating a characteristic feature or activity of the person named
Fat s
Freckle s
Cuddle s
Smile s
or an object characteristically associated with the person named
Boot s
Spark s
III. verb suffix
Etymology: Middle English (Northern & North Midland dialect) -es, from Old English (Northumbrian dialect) -es, -as, probably from -es, -as, 2d person singular present indicative ending — more at -est
1. — used to form the third person singular present of most verbs that do not end in s, z, sh, ch, or postconsonantal y
fall s
take s
play s
— compare -es II 1
2. substandard — used to form the historical present first person singular
then I say s to him
— compare -es II 2