Return to CLAA Classical Grammar I
In this lesson, we complete our study of the accidents of substantive nouns. We have learned that six things happen to every substantive noun, and these are called its accidents, because they are not the essence of the noun but characteristics that belong to it and can be considered separately. Every substantive noun has a gender, a number, a case, a declension, a figure, and a kind. We have already studied gender, number, case, and declension. In this lesson, we study the last two accidents: figure and kind.
By figure we mean whether a noun is simple or compound. A simple word is a word that is not made by joining other words together. It stands as one whole and cannot be divided into smaller meaningful words. A compound word, however, is a noun formed by joining two meaningful words into one. For example, the word “lighthouse” is a compound noun because it can be divided into the words “light” and “house,” each of which has meaning by itself. The words “light” and “house” are simple nouns, but when they are joined they form a new noun with a new meaning. Many English nouns are formed this way, such as “fireman,” “blueberry,” “popcorn,” and “grandmother.”
We can understand figure more clearly if we think of a compound word as a union of two words that have become one. When two separate words are joined together, they form one new word, just as two separate parts are joined into one whole. A simple word stands alone as a single unit. A compound word is made from two complete words united into one.
By kind we mean whether a noun is primitive or derivative. A primitive word is a word that is first, not taken from any other word. A derivative word is formed from another word. This is easiest to understand by focusing on derivative words. A derivative noun contains a root word and an added part that does not stand as a complete word by itself. This is what makes it different from a compound word. In a compound noun, both parts are complete words with their own meanings. In a derivative noun, the added part is not a complete word with meaning on its own, but only a form used to build new words.
For example, the words “Christian” and “Christianity” are derived from the word “Christ.” The endings added to the word “Christ” do not stand as independent words. They exist to form new words that are related in meaning to the original. In the same way, many English words are formed by adding endings or other small parts to a root word. “American” is formed from “America” with an added ending. “Fatherly” is formed from “father.” “Happiness” is formed from “happy.” “Reading” is formed from “read.” In each case, the added part helps form a new word, but does not stand by itself as an independent word.
It is important to notice what derivative words suggest. A derivative word usually implies likeness to its primitive word, but also some difference. If we say someone is “childish,” we do not mean that he is a child. We mean that he is like a child in some way, but not truly a child. The derivative word points back to the primitive word while also adding something new. This idea becomes important later, because it helps us understand how words can suggest relationships of likeness and difference, which is a key skill in careful thinking and in dialectic.
Often, when we learn a new word, we cannot immediately tell whether it is simple or compound, or whether it is primitive or derivative. A good dictionary can help us. Dictionaries often provide the etymology of a word, which is the study of its origin. Etymology shows where a word came from and how it developed. This can help us understand not only the meaning of a word, but also its structure.
For example, if we look up the word “humility,” we may learn that it means “the quality of being humble.” That definition tells us the meaning, but it does not immediately tell us whether the word is compound or derivative. When we look at its etymology, we learn that it comes through French from a Latin form, and that it is ultimately derived from the Latin word meaning “humble.” From this, we learn that “humility” is not a compound word, because it is not made of two complete English words joined together. It is simple in figure. Yet it is derivative in kind, because it is formed from another word and retains the root meaning while adding a new form.
From now on, whenever we use a dictionary, it is wise to look not only at the definition but also at the etymology. This strengthens our understanding of words, helps us recognize families of related meanings, and trains us to see how language is formed. It also helps with pronunciation and with recognizing the roots of words in Latin and Greek, which is especially valuable in the study of classical grammar.
With this lesson, we complete our study of the accidents of nouns. We should now be able to name all six accidents and understand what each one means. We may not yet understand every detail perfectly, but we must have the lessons memorized so that we can use them later as we move into deeper study. The more firmly these foundations are learned now, the more easily we will progress when we begin applying them in reading and composition.
Memory Work
1. (Review). How many things happen to a Noun Substantive?
Six things happen to a Noun Substantive: Gender, Number, Case, Declension, Figure and Kind.
2. What is Figure?
Figure is the difference between a Simple and a Compound word.
3. How many Figures are there?
Two: Simple, which is compounded of none, as sapiens (wise). Compound, which is compounded of another, as insapiens (not wise), compounded on in (not) and sapiens (wise).
4. What do you mean by Kind?
The distinction of Primitive and Derivative words.
5. How many Kinds are there?
Two: Primitive, which is the first and is taken from no others, as Christ, gold; Derivative, which is taken from another, as Christian, golden.
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