| Definition:
Anything that expresses existence is substantive; hence the verb to be is called the substantive verb.
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| Example:
That which is: is — is it not?
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| Etymology: The French introduced the grammatical term substantive in about 1393 to distinguish nouns from adjectives. It derives from the Latin phrase nomen substantivum, name or word of substance. |
Oxford English Dictionary: The word substantive's first OED citation is from 1393: "As adiectif and substantyf vnite asken, Acordaunce in kynde, in cas
and in numbre."
(Langl. P. Pl. C. iv. 338) |