Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Adjective?

\Ad"jec*tive\ ([a^]d"j[e^]k*t[i^]v), a. [See {Adjective}, n.] 1. Added to a substantive as an attribute; of the nature of an adjunct; as, an adjective word or sentence. 2. Not standing by itself; dependent. {Adjective color}, a color which requires to be fixed by some mordant or base to give it permanency. 3. Relating to procedure. ``The whole English law, substantive and adjective.'' --Macaulay.
\Ad"jec*tive\, n. [L. adjectivum (sc. nomen), neut. of adjectivus that is added, fr. adjicere: cf. F. adjectif. See {Adject}.] 1. (Gram.) A word used with a noun, or substantive, to express a quality of the thing named, or something attributed to it, or to limit or define it, or to specify or describe a thing, as distinct from something else. Thus, in phrase, ``a wise ruler,'' wise is the adjective, expressing a property of ruler. 2. A dependent; an accessory. --Fuller.
\Ad"jec*tive\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjectived}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Adjectiving}.] To make an adjective of; to form or change into an adjective. [R.] Language has as much occasion to adjective the distinct signification of the verb, and to adjective also the mood, as it has to adjective time. It has . . . adjectived all three. --Tooke.