Lest the student
be led to blend the idea of abstract nouns with that of adjectives,
both of which denote qualities, a farther illustration appears to be
necessary, in order to mark the distinction between these two parts
of speech. An abstract noun denotes a quality considered _apart_
(that is, abstracted) _from_ the substance or being to which it
belongs; but an adjective denotes a quality _joined_ (adjected) _to_
the substance or being to which it belongs. Thus, _whiteness_ and
_white_ both denote the same quality; but we speak of whiteness as a
distinct object of thought, while we use the word _white_ always in
reference to the noun to which it belongs; as, _white_ paper,
_white_ mouse.
4. Some authors have proceeded to still more minute divisions and
sub-divisions of nouns; such, for example, as the following, which
appear to be more complex than useful: _Natural nouns_, or names of
things formed by nature; as, man, beast, water, air: 2. _Artificial
nouns_, or names of things formed by art; as, book, vessel, house:
3. _Personal nouns_, or those which stand for human beings; as, man,
woman, Edwin: 4.
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