6.1 Visit this Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia webpage:

On the webpage above, you will learn that there are some masculine singular nouns ending in -o that have two forms in the plural: -i (masculine) and -a (feminine). These two plural forms have different meanings. Generally speaking, the masculine form has a figurative meaning while the plural form has a literal meaning. This is not always the case, so be sure to check your dictionary to see if this rule applies. 

Let’s explore the meaning of the following words: braccio, calcagno, cervello, dito, labbro, ginocchio, ciglio, orecchio.

What do they have in common?

Using one of the dizionari dell’uso recommended by the Accademia della Crusca, note any differences in meaning between the two plural forms of the words above. After you have done that, use each plural form in a sentence and share your answers with a classmate. If these words are used in idiomatic expressions, write them down and share them with the class.

For example:

Ciglio (plural: cigli / ciglia)

1. Odio la gente che abbandona i cani lungo i cigli delle strade.

2. Ho comprato un mascara che rende le ciglia più lunghe e folte.

In one sentence the word ciglio is used figuratively and in the other it is used literally.

Note that the idiomatic expression in the blink of an eye (i.e., very quickly) is in un batter di ciglio in Italian and en un abrir y serrar de ojos in Spanish. The phrase without blinking an eye (i.e., without showing any reaction) is senza batter ciglio in Italian and sin parpadear in Spanish.

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