predicant
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In most Indian tongues no pure predicant has been differentiated, but in some the verb to be, or predicant, has been slightly developed, chiefly to affirm, existence in a place.
From On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 by John Wesley Powell
The adverb there would, therefore, be used as a predicant or intransitive verb, and might be conjugated to denote different modes, tenses, numbers, persons, etc.
From On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 by John Wesley Powell
Again, adjectives are used as intransitive verbs, as in most Indian languages there is no verb to be used as a predicant or copula.
From On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 by John Wesley Powell
For two hours Erasmus Smith, the Boer predicant, argued in vain in behalf of his flock.
From A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year Volume Two (of Three) by Edwin Emerson
It may be remarked, not only from this example, but from general study, that the verb "to be" as a copula or predicant does not have any place in sign language.
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