ANTEPREDICAMENTS, in Logic, certain previous Matters, requisite to a more easy and clear apprehension of the Doctrine of Predicaments or Categories. Such are Definitions of Common Terms; as Equivocals, Univocals, etc., with Divisions of Things, their Differences, etc. They are thus called because treated by Aristotle before the Predicaments; that the Thread of the Discourse might not afterwards be interrupted.
ATTRIBUTES, in Logic, is an Epithet given to any Subject; Or it is any predicate thereof; or whatever may be affirmed or denied of any thing. See SUBJECT, PREDICATE, etc.
Every Proposition consists of a Subject, an Attribute, and a Conjunctive Particle. See PROPOSITION. Attributes are usually divided into positive, which give a thing somewhat; as when we say of a Man that he is animate: And privative; as when we say of a Stone that it is inanimate. Others again, divide them into common, which agree to several different Things, as Animal: And proper, as Thought, etc. The Word is compounded of the Latin, ad, to; and tribuo, give.
Every Proposition consists of a Subject, an Attribute, and a Conjunctive Particle. See PROPOSITION. Attributes are usually divided into positive, which give a thing somewhat; as when we say of a Man that he is animate: And privative; as when we say of a Stone that it is inanimate. Others again, divide them into common, which agree to several different Things, as Animal: And proper, as Thought, etc. The Word is compounded of the Latin, ad, to; and tribuo, give.