Adjectivalessive

Adjectivalessive is a term used in linguistic morphology and typology to describe a hypothetical or theoretical construction in which an adjective takes essive-like morphology to express a temporary state, role, or manner. The label combines “adjectival” with “essive,” a grammatical case that in many languages marks being in a certain state or occupying a particular role.

Morphology and syntax: In languages with an essive system, adjectives may participate in constructions that resemble an essive marking on adjectives themselves or on the surrounding nominal phrase. The adjectivalessive function is to convey meanings such as “as X” or “in the state of being X,” distinguishing it from ordinary attributive adjectives that denote stable properties. This construction can appear in predicative positions or within noun phrases, and its exact morphology varies across languages. It is often analyzed as a form of stative predication or as a nominalized adjective rather than a straightforward adjective phrase with independent inflection.

Distribution and typology: The adjectivalessive is not a widely attested or uniformly defined category across languages. Its discussion is largely theoretical and confined to a limited set of language descriptions or typological surveys. Some grammars treat it as a subtype of stative predication or as a specialized nominalized construction rather than as a productive inflectional class of adjectives. Consequently, there is no single, universally accepted set of forms or rules for adjectivalessive.

Example: In a hypothetical language, a phrase like “young adjectivalessive man” could be interpreted as “a man who is young,” with the essive-marking signaling a temporary state rather than a permanent property. See also essive, adjective, predication, nominalization.