Ad"jec*tive (ăd"j&ebreve;k*t&ibreve;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.
