ADVERB, Adversum, in Grammar, a particle joined to a verb, adjective, or participle, to explain their manner of acting or suffering; or to mark some circumstance or quality signified by them. See PARTICLE, VERB, etc.
The word is formed from the preposition ad, and verbum; and signifies literally a diction joined to a verb, to show how, or when, or where, one is, does, or suffers: As, the boy paints neatly, writes it; the book is there, etc. Not that the adverb is confined purely to verbs; but because that is its most ordinary use—We frequently find it joined to adjectives, and sometimes even to substantives, particularly where those substantives signify an attribute, or quality of the thing spoken of, e.g. He is very sick; he acts prudently; he is truly king.
The word is formed from the preposition ad, and verbum; and signifies literally a diction joined to a verb, to show how, or when, or where, one is, does, or suffers: As, the boy paints neatly, writes it; the book is there, etc. Not that the adverb is confined purely to verbs; but because that is its most ordinary use—We frequently find it joined to adjectives, and sometimes even to substantives, particularly where those substantives signify an attribute, or quality of the thing spoken of, e.g. He is very sick; he acts prudently; he is truly king.
ADVERSATIVE, in Grammar.— A particle or conjunction adversative is that which expresses some difference, or opposition between what goes before, and what follows. See CONJUNCTION.
Thus, or is an adversative, e.g. Yes, or no.
Thus, or is an adversative, e.g. Yes, or no.
AMPHIBOLOGY, or Amphibolousness, in Grammar, a Fault in Language, whereby it is rendered obscure, and liable to be understood in a double Sense. Amphibology is chiefly used in respect of a Phrase; as Equivoque is in respect of a Word. See EQUIVOQUE, and EQUIVOCATION. Of this kind was that Answer which Pyrrhus received from the Oracle; Aio te, Aeacida, Romanos vincere posse: Where the Amphibology consists in this, that the Words te and Romanos, may either of them precede, or either of them follow the Words posse vincere, indifferently. See ORACLE. The English Language usually speaks in a more natural manner, and is not capable of any Amphibologies of this kind: nor is it so liable to Amphibologies in the Articles, as the French and most modern Tongues. See CONSTRUCTION, ENGLISH, ARTICLE, &c. The Word comes from the Greek, αμφίβολος, ambiguous, and λόγος, Discourse.
ANTEPENULTIMA, in Grammar, the third Syllable of a Word, reckoning from the latter End; or the last Syllable but two. 'Twas upon this Syllable, that the Greeks placed their acute Accents. The Antepenultimate of a Dactyl is long.
ANTIPTOSIS, a Figure in Grammar, whereby one Case is put for another. See CASE.
The Word comes from the Greek ἀντί, pro, and πτῶσις, Case. ANTIQUARY, Antiquarius, a Person who studies and searches after Monuments and Remains of the Ancients; as, old Medals, old Books, old Statues, Sculptures, and Inscriptions, and, in general, all curious Pieces that may afford any light into Antiquity. See ANTIQUITY.
The Word comes from the Greek ἀντί, pro, and πτῶσις, Case. ANTIQUARY, Antiquarius, a Person who studies and searches after Monuments and Remains of the Ancients; as, old Medals, old Books, old Statues, Sculptures, and Inscriptions, and, in general, all curious Pieces that may afford any light into Antiquity. See ANTIQUITY.