Substantivation in Chaucer 9 



4. As abstract nouns, in plural (with -s). As in the case of 

 personal substantives with -s, we find that examples are not so 

 common. Only a limited number of abstract adjective substan- 

 tives seem to have arrived at that stage where they could be 

 pluralized as nouns. 



By certeyn means. Man of Lawes Tale, 383. — or ye have your 

 rightes. Marchau)'ides Tale, 418. — But thilke wronges may I not 

 endure. Secounde Nonnes Tale, 491.— schewynge me the perils 

 and the evils. Tale of Melibeus. — the grete goodes that comen 

 of pees. ibid. 



5. As neuter concrete nouns. Adjective substantives used as 

 neuter concrete nouns are found very frequently in Chaucer, 

 Gf these only ten, however, are used in the plural. 



Whanne wille and goodes ben in comune. Romaunt of the Rose, 

 5209. — And deyntes mo than I can of devyse. Man of Lawes 

 Tale, 321. — The somme of fourty pound anoon of nobles fette. 

 Chanounnes Yemannes Tale, 353. — Sith thus of two contraries 

 is a lore. Troylus and Cryseyde. Bk. I. 645. — the rentes and 

 rightes. Persones Tale. — feldes and playnes. Hous of Fame, 

 389. — Such maner necessaries as ben plesynges. Man of Lawes 

 Tale, 613. — A day or tue ye schul have digestives Of wormes, 

 er ye take your laxatives. Nonne Prestes Tale, 141. — And him 

 she j'af her mnenbles and her thing. Tale of Melibeus. 



Of examples in the singular we may easily make two classes, 

 namely, those which are so thoroughly substantivized as to have 

 a nominal function without the context, and those which depend 

 upon the context for their substantive value. It is, of course, 

 only from nouns of the former class that plurals are made. 

 Most common of this class is the word good (meaning 

 'property'), 



to yive a penny of hir good. Freres Tale, 277. — Than in the Tour 

 the noble iforged newe. Milleres Tale, 10. — That day that I shall 

 drenchen in the deepe. Man of Lawes Tale, 357. — Thay doon a 

 grete contrarie. Romaunt of the Rose, 4478. — Thou darst nat 

 standen by thy wjrves right! Monkes Prologue, 24. — the dyche 

 over the pleyne. Romaunt of the Rose, 4202. — And woneden so 

 neigh upon a grene.. Legende of Thisbe, 7. — For Goddes sake 

 as take som laxatuf. Nonne Prestes Tale, 123. — By nature knew 

 he each ascensioun of eqninoxial. in thilke toun. ibid. 35. 



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