-ren
suffixEtymology In standard language, a back-formation from children and brethren. In dialectal usage, from Middle English -ren, -eren (compounded plural ending), from Middle English -re, -ere (from Old English -ru (plural ending)) + Middle English -en (from Old English -an (plural ending)).
1
Humorous, Morpheme, Nonstandard Used to form the plural of nouns
- As Ciddy and child had slept soundly under Omeriah's roof, a group of young "kidren" playing outside sang a "ring song" […]2006, Timothy White, Catch a fire: the life of Bob Marley:
- Unruly kidren would fling rockstone after him.2006, Alex Wheatle, Island songs:
1 more example
- This exercise will help you develop the skills to tell your ninja brethren (and sistren and thingren) apart. Simply match the name of each famous ninja with his/her/its deadly eyes.2008, Douglas Sarine, Kent Nichols, The Ninja Handbook: