Some Adjectives are comparatively Indefinite. Ex.: 'several persons,' ' any person.'

The adjective 'several' is not definite like the numeral adjective 'five.'

QUALITIES ascribed to natural objects are denoted by such adjectives as 'hard,' 'hot,' 'cold,' 'bright,'' swift.' Qualities ascribed to persons are denoted by such adjectives as generous,' 'truthful,' faithful.'

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One adjective may serve to denote either a natural or a moral quality. Ex.: 'hard,' 'cold,' 'firm,' ' steady,' 'good,' 'bad.'

QUANTITY, without any exact definition, is denoted by such adjectives as much,' 'little,'' more,' 'less.'

NUMBERS are denoted by the adjectives called NUMERAL, which may be divided into three classes: Cardinal Numerals, Ordinal Numerals, and Multiple Numerals. Cardinal Numerals show how many objects are named. Ex.: two roses,' five bells,' 'twenty men.'

*In the appended table many variations of form found in E.II. are omitted.

The words score,' 'hundred,' 'thousand,' are nouns; 'million,' 'billion,' 'trillion,' etc., are nouns borrowed from French.

The noun C score' takes s to make a plural form, when no numeral precedes; but, when following a numeral, 'score' requires no change.

Ex.: You may count them by scores.'

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'Threescore years.'

Ordinal Numerals serve to show the order of parts belonging to a series. Ex.: The fifth chapter in the second book.'

English ordinal forms, are mostly derived from the cardinal by adding th, pronounced as in 'thin.' 'Second' is a word borrowed from French.

In giving names to fractions (in arithmetic) ordinal numerals serve as nouns. Ex.: Two thirds of three fourths = one half.'

*In the appended table some variations found in E.II. are omitted.

A Multiple Numeral serves to define a complex whole, with respect to the number of its parts. (Ex. I.)

A Multiple Numeral may serve as an adverb to denote a rate of increase. (Ex. II.)

Ex. (I.): A threefold cord.' (II.): Other seeds brought forth fruit some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.'

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A Multiple Numeral is formed by adding the syllable fold to an English stem, or ble or ple to a Latin stem. Ex.: twofold, "threefold,' 'double,' 'triple' (or 'treble'), fourfold,'' quadruple.'

IDENTITY is denoted by the demonstrative adjectives, this,' that,' these,' those,' and the.'

'This' and 'that,' with their plural forms 'these' and 'those,' are often used to define nouns, and are also used as Pronouns, or instead of nouns. The so-called 'definite article ' 'the' often serves as a weakened expression for that,' and when followed by the word 'same' is clearly demonstrative. The demonstrative adjectives 'yon' and 'yonder' are mostly used in poetry.

The form of the 'definite article' belongs to pe, which in E.I. served as a substitute for the demonstrative pronoun se. The neuter form þat was in E.II. used as a demonstrative adjective.

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POSSESSION is denoted by the words 'my,' 'thy,'' her,' its,' 'our, your,' their,' which are always used with nouns, and by 'mine,' 'thine,' and 'his,' which may be used either as adjectives or as pronouns.

The adjective 'own' following a possessive adjective serves to strengthen its meaning.

INDEFINITE ADJECTIVES.-Of the following words all

except two-may be used as pronouns :

'all,'

'a'), ‘another,' 'any,' each,' 'either,' neither,' enough,' 'every,'' few,' 'many,' 'several,'' some,'' such."

The two words not used as pronouns are 'an' (or 'a')

and every.

'An' (called 'the indefinite article') is changed to 'a before a consonant, and before words apparently beginning with the vowels o and u, but having the initial consonant sounds of w and y. Ex.: a book,' 'a house,' 'such a one,"

'a union.'

'An '-identical with the E.I. numeral ân (= one)—was in E.II. sometimes reduced to the form o, while retaining its original meaning. (Ex. I.)

'everich' ('every,' etc.) was sometimes (Ex. II.) In M.E. 'every' is always (Ex. III.)

In E.II. the word used as a pronoun. used as an adjective. Ex. I. 'Of o wil' (

one body).

Ex. II. 'That every schuld an hundred knightes bring.' (CHAUCER.)

Ex. III. 'Every tree is refreshed by the rain.'

VERBAL ADJECTIVES.-Forms of verbs called Participles, having the endings ing, ed, en, etc., are often used as Adjectives, and are sometimes placed before nouns. Ex.: 'a persevering man,' furnished rooms,' well-bound volumes,' 'a broken vow,' 'a forgotten promise.'

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It is not said that any participle may be treated as an adjective and placed before a noun. In placing participles, respect must be paid to usage. We say 'the parcel was brought;' 'the news was heard and believed.' But these participles (printed in Italic) are seldom or never placed before

nouns.

It must not be supposed that all adjectives ending in ed are verbal forms. In some compound words, nouns are converted into adjectives by the addition of the ending ed. Ex.: 'high-minded,' 'open-hearted.'

adjectives

VARIOUS USES.-Some words that serve as may, without any change of form, serve also as nouns. Ex.: the English,' the Chinese,' the rich,' the poor," 'the village green.'

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Sone adjectives are, by adding s, changed to nouns in the plural number. Ex.: greens,' natives,' mortals.' Some words often serving as adjectives serve also as verbs. Ex.: level,' open,' warm.'

Some words are, without change of form, employed either as adjectives or as adverbs. Ex.: 'late,'' long,' 'still.'

11. VERBS.

A VERB has already been defined as a word that, when rightly placed with a noun or pronoun, can tell, assert, or declare something.

This general definition has no reference to the abstract verb be. That must be considered apart from all other verbs, which are sometimes called 'concrete,' because they can assert something more than 'being' or existence.' [See § 46.]

AN INTRANSITIVE VERB denotes an act that does not pass on from the agent (or the cause), so as to affect an object. Ex. The tree falls. The man calls loudly.' The boy sleeps.'

A TRANSITIVE VERB denotes a transition of force, which may be real or supposed. Ex.: 'He felled the tree.' He spoke the word.'

A PASSIVE VERB denotes that the subject of which we speak receives or endures the effect of an act. Ex.: The tree was felled.'

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AN IMPERSONAL VERB ascribes an act to some unknown or unnamed agent. Ex.: It rains.'

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A Verb is used reflexively when it is placed between a subject and an object, both denoting the same person or thing. Ex. He defended himself."

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A Verb denoting reciprocal action-in which subject and object are supposed to change places-is followed by the words each other,' or by one another.' Ex.: They help each other.'

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VARIOUS USES.-A Verb usually called Intransitive, or Transitive, or Passive, may, by exceptional use, be transferred from one class to another.