/ ˈædʒɪktɪv; NAmE / noun
( grammar ) a word that describes a person or thing, for example big , red and clever in a big house , red wine and a clever idea
► ad·jec·tival / ˌædʒekˈtaɪvl; NAmE / adjective :
an adjectival phrase
► ad·jec·tival·ly / -ˈtaɪvəli; NAmE / adverb :
In 'bread knife', the word 'bread' is used adjectivally.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French adjectif , -ive , from Latin adject- added, from the verb adicere , from ad- towards + jacere throw. The term was originally used in the phrase noun adjective , translating Latin nomen adjectivum , a translation of Greek onoma epitheton attributive name.