Adjectival Noun

An adjectival noun is a word that is used in a context wherein it combines the functions of two parts of speech. The term may be used to describe three such situations:

  • a noun that functions as an adjective, especially in Japanese grammar (see Adjectival noun (Japanese));
  • a noun that functions as an adjective can be called an adjectival noun in English (e.g. Fowler), but it is nowadays more often called a noun adjunct or attributive noun;
  • an adjective that functions as a noun, e.g. the other, the True, the rich and the poor, especially in German and other inflected languages (see adjectival noun (noun)).

Famous quotes containing the word noun:

    It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk of a noun and a verb and such abominable words as no Christian ear can endure to hear.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)