Word suggestion: eaves

[jancsika]

Yes, grammatically it is a plural, but so are "odds" and "pants" and many others which are accepted by Chi. I don't think I've ever comes across "eave" in the singular, so I suggest "eaves" should be accepted, probably even as common.

[Morbius]

Actually, eave is accepted as a common word.  It comes up from time to time.  So, eaves is not accepted because of the plurals rule.

[Ozzyjack]

I interpreted John's post as an argument that "eaves" should not be subject to the plural rule.

[Alan W]

This suggestion has already been made, in 2012 by mkenuk.

[Jacki]

You’re still ruminating on it Alan? If you do make a ruling, no one will call it hasty!

[ridethetalk]

Alan is an Ent in that regard... 

[Alan W]

This is, actually, the oldest outstanding request on my list.

But for a long time I've shied away from changing anything that relates to the plurals issue. MK suggested that eaves could be treated the same way as throes - the plural as a common word and the singular as rare. But that approach has caused concerns for some forumites. If you're able to play the singular word you may well assume the plural is not playable, and would be infuriated to discover the next day that it was playable and common. I feel that it may be better to leave things be, rather than risk making them worse.

So there's quite a backlog of plural-related suggestions that I've been avoiding for some years.

[jancsika]

Actually, eave is accepted as a common word.  It comes up from time to time.  So, eaves is not accepted because of the plurals rule.

Thanks. I don't play the "4-letter" games so often, which could explain why I've never seen it. That said, I've been trying to come up with  a sentence using "eave" in the singular and to be honest I'm stumped!

[TRex]

I've been trying to come up with  a sentence using "eave" in the singular and to be honest I'm stumped!

1871   J. Tyndall Forms of Water §37. 258   The water trickles to the eave and then drops down.

(courtesy OED)