What is an abstract noun?

Definition
	An abstract noun is a noun that denotes something viewed as a nonmaterial referent.

Discussion
	An abstract noun is frequently treated as a mass noun.

Sources
	Hartmann and Stork 1972 2
	Quirk, Greenbaum, Leech, and Svartvik 1985 247

Concept module: abstract noun
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): A
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004