attributive

attributive
An attributive adjective is one that logically qualifies a subsequent adjective, and cannot be separated from it. Thus something may be a large mouse and a small mammal (i.e. large for a mouse, small for a mammal). If the qualified adjective is suppressed, ambiguity may result. The doctrine is frequently advanced that the adjective ‘good’ is attributive, implying a subsequent kind or qualification. If this is right it may make no sense to talk simply of a good thing or good state of affairs, and this is often regarded as undermining some of the attraction of utilitarianism . See also alienans.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Attributive — may mean:* pertaining to an attribute * pertaining to attribution * attributive adjective * attributive noun * attributive verb …   Wikipedia

  • attributive — [ə trib′yo͞o tiv, ə trib′yətiv] adj. [Fr attributif] 1. attributing 2. of or like an attribute 3. Gram. joined directly to (in English, generally preceding) the substantive that it modifies: said of an adjective n. Gram. an attributive adjective… …   English World dictionary

  • attributive — 1. In grammar, attributive denotes a word, normally an adjective or noun, that is put before another word, normally a noun, to qualify or describe it in some way (eg. brown in brown shoes and table in table lamp). See further at adjective 2. 2.… …   Modern English usage

  • Attributive — At*trib u*tive, a. [Cf. F. attributif.] Attributing; pertaining to, expressing, or assigning an attribute; of the nature of an attribute. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Attributive — At*trib u*tive, n., (Gram.) A word that denotes an attribute; esp. a modifying word joined to a noun; an adjective or adjective phrase. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • attributive — (adj.) c.1600, from Fr. attributif, from stem of L. attributus (see ATTRIBUTE (Cf. attribute) (v.)). As a noun, in grammar, from 1750. Related: Attributively; attributiveness …   Etymology dictionary

  • attributive — ► ADJECTIVE Grammar ▪ (of an adjective) preceding the word that it modifies, as old in the old dog. Contrasted with PREDICATIVE(Cf. ↑predicatively). DERIVATIVES attributively adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • attributive — 1. adjective /ə.ˈtrɪ.bju.tɪv/ a) Modifying a noun, while in the same phrase as that noun. In this big house , big is attributive, whereas in this house is big , it is predicative. b) Having the nature of an attribute. Ant: predicative …   Wiktionary

  • attributive — ● attributif, attributive adjectif Qui indique ou énonce un attribut. Qui confère un droit, qui le fait passer d une tête sur une autre. Se dit d une phrase qui contient un attribut, d un verbe qui admet un attribut. ● attributif, attributive… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • attributive — at|trib|u|tive [ ə trıbjətıv ] adjective LINGUISTICS an attributive adjective or a word in an attributive position comes before the noun it describes. For example, in the phrase a nice man, nice is attributive. ╾ at|trib|u|tive|ly [ ə trıbjətıvli …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • attributive — UK [əˈtrɪbjʊtɪv] / US [əˈtrɪbjətɪv] adjective linguistics an attributive adjective or a word in an attributive position comes before the noun it describes. For example in the phrase a nice man , nice is attributive. • See: predicative Derived… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”