"
1. Agendum:
n. pl. a·gen·da (-d) also a·gen·dums
Something to be done, especially an item on a program or list.
[Latin, neuter gerundive of agere, to do. ]
2.Agenda:
n. pl. a·gen·das
i. A list or program of things to be done or considered: "They share with
them an agenda beyond the immediate goal of democratization of the electoral
process" (Daniel Sneider).
ii. A plural of agendum.
Usage Note: It is true that Cicero would have used agendum to refer to a
single item of business before the Roman Senate, with agenda as its plural.
But in Modern English a phrase such as item on the agenda expresses the
sense of agendum, and agenda is used as a singular noun to denote the set or
list of such items, as in The agenda for the meeting has not yet been set.
If a plural of agenda is required, the form should be agendas: The agendas
of both meetings are exceptionally varied.
"
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: Adrian Midgley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 January 2004 02:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pedants Weakly
On Thursday 15 January 2004 16:35, Gavin Jamie wrote:
> > "... another agenda ..."
> >
> > Agenda is the plural of agendum, so anyone with an agenda has by
> > definition more than one thing in mind.
>
> Surely "... other agenda ..." what with agenda being plural and all. :)
I think one's agenda is the totality[1] of ones intentions, therefore one
has
one agenda. It might well be subdivided into sections were it written down.
[1] clearly the word of the week
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