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In word categorization in a dictionary, what does this denote?

by kumar
5 replies
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I am looking for a source to get words categorizations of 'Un' prefixed words.

While checking for the word, "Unbereaven", the result came as:

Unbereaven
Un`be*reav"en\, a. Unbereft. [R.]

Does 'a' stand for an adjective or an adverb?. Interestingly, for most of the words, the same online dictionary mentions a noun, verb, adjective, adverb etc. beside the meaning of the word but for some, it just mentions a letter either 'a', 'n', 'v'. Any idea why?
  • Profile picture of the author Star69
    I would say that stands for adjective, but I'm not sure.

    Adjective, try this site for a definition.

    define:adjective - Google Search

    Adverb, try this one:

    define:adverb - Google Search

    I wasn't an English major, so that is way beyond me!
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    "a" is adjective.
    "adv" is adverb.

    Abbreviations are used to save space - with the number of words in the dictionary an added 3 to 7 letters for each word classification would take one hell of a lot of space. Why there is an inconsistency in the use of whole words and abbreviations might mean that the entries are copied from more than one other source.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Abbreviations are used to save space
      I've often wondered why "abbreviation" is such a long word. :confused:




      Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Star69
    Dang, Sal, we'd better start abbreviating or we're going to run out of internet.

    Wldn't wnt that 2 hppn!
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Star69 View Post

      Dang, Sal, we'd better start abbreviating or we're going to run out of internet.

      Wldn't wnt that 2 hppn!
      You must have missed the great "R" shortage of 2006 - it was well written about in the OT back then. Letter conservation was well practiced for a time. We've become careless again, though. Go figure.
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      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

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