Substantive (noun or adjective)

The term substantive is occasionally used to denote the word class consisting of nouns and adjectives, sometimes defined by the feature [+N]' (=noun).

Comments

This is the terminology used in Chomsky (1981:48) and occasionally in later work influenced by him. Chomsky refers to his substantive category as "based on traditional grammar". This seems to be due to a misunderstanding, since the traditional term substantive specifically excludes adjectives (see substantive (continental)), while Chomsky specifically includes them. (Maybe he was vaguely aware that in an older tradition, there was a term for a class including both nouns and adjectives, but this term is noun (Latin nomen).)

Polysemy

Substantive also denotes

• noun (see substantive (continental))

Synonyms

• noun (Latin nomen)

Origin

Apparently first used by Chomsky (1981:48).

See also

• noun
• noun(2)

References

Chomsky, Noam. 1981. Lectures on Government and Binding. Dordrecht: Foris.