alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

ETYMOLOG Y-NOUNS-G ENDER.
23
Masculine.
Count
Deacon
Duke
Elector
Emperor
Enchanter
Executor
Governor
Heir
Hero
Hunter
Host
Jew
Landgrave
Lion
Marquis
Mayor
Patron
3.
Sparrow.
Goat.
Servant.
Child.
Descendants.
FellLinine. lIIasculinr. Ji'cminine.
countess Peer peeress
deaconess Poet poetess
duchess Priest priestess
electress Prince princess
empress Prior prioress
enchantress Prophet prophetess
executrix Protector protectress
governess Shepherd shepherdess
heiress Songster songstress
heroine Sorcerer sorceress
huntress
{sultana, or
Sultan
hostess
taness
jewess Tiger tigress
Iandgravine Traitor traitress
lioness Tutor tutoress
marchioness Viscount viscountess
mayoress Votary yotaress
patroness "'idower widow
By prefixing a distinguishing word; as,
Ma.culine.
A coc/: sparrow.
A he goat.
A ma n serva.nt.
A male child.
JJIaie descendants.
sul-
Feminine.
A h( It sparrow.
A ~ltc goat.
A maid servant.
A fr1lla/" child.
Fer/wle descendants.
OBSERVATIONS ON GENDER.
128. Many masculine nonns have no corresponding feminine; liS, baker,
brewer, &c.: and some feminine DOUDS have no conesponding m:lsculine;
as, laundress, seamstress, &c.
129. Some nouns natuI'ally neuter, IIrc often, by a fi~ure of speech
(1046, I), converted into the ma~culine or feminine; as, when we say
of the sun, .< He is setting;" of the moon, .. She is eclipsed;" or of a
ship, "She aails."
130. REMARK.-This inferior species of personification, peculiar to the
Engli'h langu:lge, is often used with gl'eat bcauty to impart animation
and livelincss to the style, witlJOut rentiering it inflated or passionate.
No certain rul", however, can be given as to the gender as.urned, except
that nouns denoting ol~ects distinguished for 8tr.,ngth 01' b"ldness, are
u8ually regarded a8 masculine, while, on the other hand, tho.e dp.llotiu!( (,b·
jects noted fur softness, beauty, and gracefulness, are cODsidered feminine.