In these respects,
then, they partake of the nature of verbs. You also notice, that they
_describe_ the several nouns associated with them, like describing
adjectives; and that, in this respect, they participate the properties
of adjectives. And, furthermore, you observe they denote actions which
are still going on; that is, _incomplete_ or _unfinished_ actions; for
which reason we call them _imperfect_ participles.
Perhaps I can illustrate their character more clearly. When the
imperfect or present and perfect participles are placed before nouns,
they become defining or describing adjectives, and are denominated
_participial adjectives_; as, A _loving_ companion; The _rippling_
stream; _Roaring_ winds; A _wilted_ leaf; An _accomplished_ scholar.
Here the words _loving, rippling, roaring, wilted_, and _accomplished_,
describe or define the nouns with which they are associated. And where
the participles are placed after their nouns, they have, also, this
descriptive quality. If I say, I see the moon _rising_; The horse is
_running_ a race; The dog is _beaten_; I describe the several objects,
as a _rising_ moon, a _running_ horse, and a _beaten_ dog, as well as
when I place these participles before the nouns.
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