# Plural of 'torus'. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198 "2018-07-02T22:28:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Casparlatete](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/casparlatete/32/3377_2.png) [@Casparlatete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casparlatete)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/1 "2018-07-02T22:28:48Z")
A mathematical torus is defined as, A toroid generated by a circle; in simple terms, a surface having the shape of a doughnut. What is the correct way to describe more than one torus? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/2 "2018-07-02T22:30:44Z")
If you look in pretty much any dictionary, it will say “tori.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/3 "2018-07-02T22:32:44Z")
Though, personally, I would go with “toruses.” ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/4 "2018-07-02T22:41:04Z")
Why “toruses” over what it says in the dictionary? My _Oxford Dictionary of English_ actually lists both, though “tori” comes first. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/5 "2018-07-02T22:44:37Z")
Personally I go with Coffee Cups. But be careful about the initial conditions there, The surfaces of a donut and a coffee cup are considered topologically equivalent because both have a single hole. A torus is more accurately a surface formed by rotating a closed curve. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/6 "2018-07-02T22:48:13Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Why “toruses” over what it says in the dictionary? My _Oxford Dictionary of English_ actually lists both, though “tori” comes first. Personally? Because I prefer foreign words to be pluralized in the target language by the target language’s rules. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/7 "2018-07-02T22:51:29Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Why “toruses” over what it says in the dictionary? My _Oxford Dictionary of English_ actually lists both, though “tori” comes first. The Oxford Dictionary intent is to be descriptive and not prescriptive. While wolfram isn’t authoritative either it is probably safer to reference more domain specific sources with technical terms. > **[Torus -- from Wolfram MathWorld](https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Torus.html)** > > An (ordinary) torus is a surface having genus one, and therefore possessing a single "hole" (left figure). The single-holed "ring" torus is known in older literature as an "anchor ring." It can be constructed from a rectangle by gluing both pairs of... They seem to use _tori_ ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/8 "2018-07-02T22:56:06Z")
What’s funny is that my first thought reading the title was “Donuts!” But whenever someone brings a box of donuts to work, everyone now says “Hey, there are doni in the lobby!” _“Doni? Really?”_ “Well, doni ten minutes ago, maybe doNUT by now. Better hurry.” _“DO-NIIIIIII…”_ [runs towards lobby] I _might_ have started that… ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/9 "2018-07-02T22:59:40Z")
I want to say “tori” is the standard usage in current mathematical literature, which is in English (not Latin), but better for someone to do a Google search or something to confirm it (count the number of occurrences of each plural in the _Annals of Mathematics_ or something). ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/10 "2018-07-03T00:00:53Z")
It’s always “tori” in the crossword puzzle. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/11 "2018-07-03T02:04:18Z")
Why not just torus? Like deer or fish? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/12 "2018-07-03T02:12:30Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > Why not just torus? Like deer or fish? [The Straight Dope.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=857630) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/13 "2018-07-03T04:32:14Z")
Mmmmmmm . . . donuts. Is there anything they can’t do? ---
**Author:** ![Casparlatete](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/casparlatete/32/3377_2.png) [@Casparlatete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casparlatete)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/14 "2018-07-03T06:52:13Z")
Thanks, I’ll use tori which sounds most elegant. I hesitated because I have seen words ending in ‘us’ used as both singular and plural; “a large group of walrus” etc. I assume tori, is pronounced “tor - eye”, is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/15 "2018-07-03T07:10:59Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > The surfaces of a donut and a coffee cup are considered topologically equivalent because both have a single hole. I don’t think that’s right. A coffee cup wouldn’t be much good as a cup if it had a hole in it. Wait, are you talking about a cup with a handle? All the talk of donuts had me thinking of a disposable coffee cup, like you’d get from Dunkin’. If you mean a mug with a handle, yes, the handle counts as a hole. > [@pulykamell](#): > > If you look in pretty much any dictionary, it will say “tori.” Are you sure about the spelling? Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/16 "2018-07-03T07:17:23Z")
> [@Casparlatete](#): > > Thanks, I’ll use tori which sounds most elegant. I hesitated because I have seen words ending in ‘us’ used as both singular and plural; “a large group of walrus” etc. > > I assume tori, is pronounced “tor - eye”, is that correct? Latin scholars say “tor-ee.” Everyone else, including mathematicians, says “tor-eye.” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/17 "2018-07-03T11:21:35Z")
“Gimme a torus. And while you’re at it, give me another one!” Agree with _tori_ [https://www.google.com/search?q=tori+plural+of+torus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8suS\_54LcAhUKvlkKHaoEBBsQ\_AUICigB&biw=1440&bih=680#imgrc=g2KjfF2JpLzYKM:&spf=1530616690234](https://www.google.com/search?q=tori+plural+of+torus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8suS_54LcAhUKvlkKHaoEBBsQ_AUICigB&biw=1440&bih=680#imgrc=g2KjfF2JpLzYKM:&spf=1530616690234) Not to be confused with this, which is what googling “tori” brings up: > **[TORI AMOS](https://toriamos.com/)** > > \[vc\_row css=”.vc\_custom\_1645480975449{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”\]\[vc\_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc\_custom\_1645480894177{margin-left: 10px !important;}”\]\[vc\_column\_text css\_animation=”fadeInUp”\]Ocean to Ocean 2023... or with _torii_: > **[The Official Guide to Hiroshima - Travel and Tour Information](https://dive-hiroshima.com/en/)** > > Hiroshima official tourism site for travelers. Hiroshima is a treasure trove of highlights and food, with two world heritage sites, Itsukushima Shrine, the Atomic Bomb Dome, many attractive spots, seafood such as Hiroshima Japanese beef and oysters,... Fortunately, to channel Ogden Nash, there is no “three-I tori” And the plural of _torii_ is just _torii_. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/18 "2018-07-03T12:47:55Z")
English (almost) always accepts the use of standard English pluralization rules. For loanwords, English also usually accepts the use of the pluralization rules from the word’s language of origin, especially when it’s a relatively familiar language like Latin. “Toruses” and “tori” are both correct; use whichever one you prefer. > [@](#): > > Fortunately, to channel Ogden Nash, there is no “three-I tori” I would bet a silk sleeveless nightgown that you’re correct. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/19 "2018-07-03T14:44:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > [tori plural of torus - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=tori+plural+of+torus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8suS_54LcAhUKvlkKHaoEBBsQ_AUICigB&biw=1440&bih=680#imgrc=g2KjfF2JpLzYKM:&spf=1530616690234) > Not to be confused with this, which is what googling “tori” brings up: > [http://toriamos.com/](http://toriamos.com/) > or with _torii_: > > [The Official Guide to Hiroshima - Travel and Tour Information](https://www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp/en/post/026534.html) > > Fortunately, to channel Ogden Nash, there is no “three-I tori” > And the plural of _torii_ is just _torii_. People should be aware of “torii” when using spell checkers, speech to text, watching _Rashomon_, etc. Because of this I think that it’s time to go with English pluralization for torus. People seem happy with “formulas”, etc. (But the rancor against “novas” is astonishing and then some. Give it a rest folk.) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198/20 "2018-07-03T15:05:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I don’t think that’s right. A coffee cup wouldn’t be much good as a cup if it had a hole in it. > > Wait, are you talking about a cup with a handle? All the talk of donuts had me thinking of a disposable coffee cup, like you’d get from Dunkin’. If you mean a mug with a handle, yes, the handle counts as a hole. So does the thing you dig to set a fence post into (if you’re building a fence), but I don’t ear about a lot of fence posts falling through the planet. In this context, a paper cup from Dunkin’ Donuts counts as a [portable] hole. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-of-torus/817198.md?page=2)