What is an absolute adjective?

Definition
	An absolute adjective is an adjective which functions as a noun.

Discussion
	This term absolute adjective is applicable, by extension, to other parts of speech which are used similarly, such as possessive pronouns or numerals.

Examples (English)
	The poor The mystical in Blake’s poetry

Generic
	An absolute adjective is a kind of
	What is an adjective?

Sources
	Pei and Gaynor 1954 4
	Mish 1991 46

Context for this page:

Concept module: absolute adjective
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): A
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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