Adnominal

/æd'nɑmɪnəl/ adjective

Definition

In grammar, describing a word or phrase that functions as an adjective by modifying a noun.

Etymology

From Latin 'ad-' (toward) plus 'nominalis' (relating to nouns). This grammatical term describes how certain words attach themselves to nouns to add description.

Kelly Says

In 'the big red house,' both 'big' and 'red' are adnominal—they're words that position themselves right next to the noun to describe it, which is why the name literally means 'toward the noun.'

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