I. NOUNS DERIVED FROM ADJECTIVES

are very numerous. Some of them go back to Latin adjectives : e.g. —

le soir (Lat. seriis, late) ; l'aube (Lat. albus, white).

Tliey generally reflect one of the most striking properties or qualities of a thing or person. Thus the adjective imperméable becomes unimperméable, and dénotes a waterproof cloak ; une mitrailleuse dénotes a grape-shot firing cannon [la mitraille) ; une balayeuse, a sweeping machine ; un journal, a daily paper ; un libéral, a person belonging to the Libéral party ; un fou, a foolish person ; 7ine sotte, a stupidgvA. Sometimes they hâve a spécial meaning ; thus une bonne does not mean a good person, but a servant.

Form nouns from the following adjectives, and give their meaning in Englisli : —

malade bon nécessaire coursier

pauvre fort impériale notable

sourd rose co7iservateur faucheuse