Adnoun

Adnoun

In linguistics, an adnoun is a kind of lexical category. In English, it is a word that is usually an adjective, but is being used as a noun.cite web | url=http://phrontistery.info/a.html | title=List of unusual words | work=The Phrontistery | accessdate=2006-10-11] cite-web | url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/adnoun | title=Adnoun | work=Dictionary.com | accessdate=2006-10-11] The origin of the word is thought to date to around 1745-1755.cite-web | url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/adnoun | title=Adnoun | work=Dictionary.com | accessdate=2006-10-11]

Examples:
*"guide-dogs for the blind", "blind" is an adnoun because it stands in for the noun phrase "blind people"
*"tax cuts for the rich", "rich" is an adnoun because it stands in for the noun phrase "rich people"

Often these usages will simply be identified as the noun form of the word.

Alternatively

Adnoun is simply an archaic term for adjective. As John Elliot states in his 1666 "Indian Grammar Begun...", "An Adnoun is a part of Speech that attendeth upona Noun, and signifieth the Qualification thereof." That is, an adnoun is an adjective.

ee also

*
* Verbal

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Adnoun — Ad noun , n. [Pref. ad + noun.] (Gram.) An adjective, or attribute. [R.] Coleridge. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • adnoun — noun an adjective used as a noun meek in blessed are the meek is an adnoun • Hypernyms: ↑common noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • adnoun — /ad nown /, n. Gram. an adjective used as a noun, as meek in Blessed are the meek; absolute adjective. [1745 55; AD(JECTIVE) + NOUN] * * * …   Universalium

  • adnoun — noun An adjective used as a noun. See Also: adnominal …   Wiktionary

  • adnoun —   n. adjective used as noun …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • adname — † ˈadname Obs. [f. L. ad to + name n. an englishing of mod.L. adnōmen and Fr. adnom; see adnoun.] [see adnoun] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Adnominal — Ad*nom i*nal, a. [L. ad + nomen noun.] (Gram.) Pertaining to an adnoun; adjectival; attached to a noun. Gibbs. {Ad*nom i*nal*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Adnominally — Adnominal Ad*nom i*nal, a. [L. ad + nomen noun.] (Gram.) Pertaining to an adnoun; adjectival; attached to a noun. Gibbs. {Ad*nom i*nal*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • adnominal — /ad nom euh nl/, Gram. adj. 1. of, pertaining to, or used as the modifier of a noun, as new in the new theater, on the corner in the house on the corner, or the mayor s in the mayor s reputation. 2. of or pertaining to an adnoun. n. 3. a word or… …   Universalium

  • postnoun — 1. adjective posnaʊn Following a noun. 2. noun posnaʊn a particle which follows a noun. Syn: postnominal See Also: prenoun, adnoun …   Wiktionary

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