errata

First recorded in 1625–35

Errata is originally the plural of the singular Latin noun erratum. Like many such borrowed nouns ( agenda; candelabra ), it came by the mid-17th century to be used as a singular noun, meaning “a list of errors or corrections to be made (in a book).” Despite objections by some to this singular use, it is common in standard English: The errata begins on page 237. When errata clearly means “errors,” it takes plural verbs and pronouns: Although errata were frequent in the first printing, most of them were corrected in subsequent printings. As a singular noun, errata has developed an English plural form erratas, which is rarely used.