ADJECTIVE 



lowing objective phrase. This construction de- 

 mands a transitive verb. 



Apples are healthy, for Apples are healthful. 

 There is such a thing as a healthy apple, mean- 

 ing an apple that is sound and good to the core, 

 but the idea here Intended is that a diet of 

 apples will impart health, a meaning that is con- 

 veyed by the adjective healthful. 



Of two evils choose the least, for Of two evils 

 choose the less. This old proverb is generally in- 

 correctly quoted. Where only two things art- 

 compared the superlative form of the adjective is 

 illogical. 



Most all the members were present, for Almost 

 all the members were present. Most, being an 

 adjective, cannot be employed as an adverb. 

 Whenever nearly can be substituted, almost is 

 the correct word to use. 



I have received your last picture, for / have 

 i-ed your latest picture. It is not the last 

 picture unless the subject is dying or has regis- 

 tered a solemn vow never again to sit for a 

 photograph. 



He is a new beginner, for He is a beginner. 

 The adjective new is superfluous because the idea 

 is bound up in the very meaning of beginner. 



He is bound to go abroad, for He is determined 

 to go abroad. The first form is only correct in 

 the event that he is really bound by oath or con- 

 tract to make the trip. 



There were no less than thirty present, for 

 There were no fewer than thirty present. Less 

 is used for quantity, fewer for number, and 

 where individuals rather than masses are implied, 

 the latter is the proper adjective. 



She is a nice girl, for She is a charming or 

 pleasant girl. Nice conveys the idea of pre- 

 cision, as, nice distinctions, nice choice of lan- 

 guage, and the like. 



It is a universal, world-wide custom, for It is 

 a universal custom, or It is a world-wide custom. 

 Since the two adjectives convey the same mean- 

 ing, one is redundant. This tendency to use 

 superfluous adjectives is illustrated in such com- 

 mon phrases as rich millionaire, two twins, 

 habitual habit, -verdant green, and others of the 

 same brand of wordiness. 



Awful, horrible, frightful, mad, grand, gor- 

 geous, elegant, splendid and others, carelessly 

 used in everyday speech for less significant 

 words. Care should be taken to avoid extrava- 

 gant and inaccurate adjectives, since aptness is 

 an essential of forceful language. L.M.B. 



Outline on the Adjective 



1. Definition 



(a) Used with noun or pronoun 



(b) Limits or modifies meaning 



2. Classes of adjectives 



(a) Descriptive 



(b) Limiting 



:;. Positions and order 



(a) Modifying a noun 



(b) Modifying a pronoun 



4. Comparison of adjectives 



(a) By endings 



(b) By adverbs 



(c) Irregular comparison 



(d) Adjectives not admitting of comparison 



5. Parsing the adjective 



6. Common errors 



56 ADMINISTRATOR 



AD'JUTANT, a military officer, usually with 

 rank of captain, appointed to assist the com- 

 manding officer in the discipline and training 

 of his troops, and in the general administration 

 of regimental affairs. In the United States 

 army, regimental adjutants are appointed for 

 four years. 



Adjutant, the bird, is a species of stork, and 

 derives its name from its dignified poses, which 

 are supposed to resemble the strutting and 

 pompous airs of a self-important young army 

 officer. The adjutant bird is not found in 

 Europe or Amer- 

 ica, but is com- 

 mon in India, the 

 East Indies and 

 other parts of 

 Southeastern 

 Asia. It stands 

 about five feet 

 high, and its out- 

 spread wings 

 measure about 

 five feet from tip 

 to tip. The body 

 is white, but the 

 neck is flesh-col- 

 ored, marked 

 with black, and 

 the wings and 

 back are slate- 

 gray in color. The 



bill and the neck are both long and seem 

 almost too large for the body. The adjutant 

 bird feeds on small insects, and is particularly 

 fond of fresh meat, but also eats offal and the 

 flesh of animals which have been dead a long 

 time. It is an efficient scavanger, a character- 

 istic which has led the government of India 

 to protect it from hunters who seek it for its 

 feathers. These are called marabou feathers 

 in commerce, and resemble those of the true 

 marabou (which see). 



ADME'TUS, in mythology, the husband of 

 Alcestis (which see). 



ADMINISTRATOR, a person chosen by a 

 probate court to take charge of the property 

 of a person who has died without leaving a t 

 will, or who has not named anyone as his 

 executor. The closest blood relatives are given 

 preference in the appointment of administra- 

 tors, and creditors have the next right to con- 

 sideration. In all his acts the administrator 

 is responsible to the court for faithful per- 

 formance of his duties. When a foreigner dies 

 without leaving a will, the consul from his 



THE ADJUTANT 

 are both long and 



