adjectivusadiectivum

Adjectivusadiectivum is a term used in linguistic typology to denote a hypothetical class of adjectives that function as modifiers of adjectives within a noun phrase. It describes a cross-category modifier: an adjective that modifies another adjective rather than a noun.

The name is a Latin-inspired neologism combining adjectivus and adiectivum, literally “an adjective of an adjective.” It is used mainly in theoretical discussions and in constructions of artificial or experimental languages to describe a specific layering of adjectival meaning.

In the proposed analysis, an adjectivusadiectivum element precedes the head adjective and attaches semantically to its meaning. This kind of modification differs from standard adverbial modification, because the altering unit is itself an adjective and may interact with the head noun or with the head adjective in limited ways. The resulting phrase often conveys gradation, intensification, or a particular nuance in color, size, or quality that a single adjective would not express.

Typologically, adjectivusadiectivum is considered rare and controversial. Some grammars treat the structure as a compound adjective rather than true modification of an adjective. It shares affinities with noun–adjective compounds, layered adjective phrases, and certain intensifier strategies found in natural languages. It is also of interest in conlang design as a tool for encoding stacked meanings within a single descriptive unit.

Example in a hypothetical language: with N = noun, A = head adjective (red), M = modifying adjective (dark), the sequence M-A-N yields “dark red noun,” interpreted as a single colored attribute rather than two separate adjectives. See also: compound adjectives, intensifiers, substantivization.