According to Merriam-Webster (10 Ed) both lens and lense are acceptable as the singular form of the noun. I suspect it might be one of those cases where the error became so common that it was just accepted as legitimate. It also cites (right below) the use of "lens" as a transitive verb meaning to film something and the word "lensman" as a synonym for photographer (which I really like). No mention of "lensperson" ;-)
Steve (the amateur lensman) Steven Desjardins Department of Chemistry Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 458-8873 FAX: (540) 458-8878 [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/15/03 12:27PM >>> Don't wish to be boring but can we eradicate the growing tendency to stick an e on the end of lens. It's incorrect, unnecessary, and a waste of a keystroke. Unless of course these folk are using the Tasmanian Aboriginal spelling, in which case I apologise profusely AB __________________________________________________________________________ Join Freeserve http://www.freeserve.com/time/ Winner of the 2003 Internet Service Providers' Association awards for Best Unmetered ISP and Best Consumer Application.
