An English Grammar - The Original Classic Edition. Witt William

       By examining this sentence we notice several words used as names. The plainest name is Arabs, which belongs to a people; but, besides this one, the words sons and master name objects, and may belong to any of those objects. The words state, submission, and will are evidently names of a different kind, as they stand for ideas, not objects; and the word nation stands for a whole group.

       When the meaning of each of these words has once been understood, the word naming it will always call up the thing or idea itself. Such words are called nouns.

       Definition.

       2. A noun is a name word, representing directly to the mind an object, substance, or idea.

       Classes of nouns.

       3. Nouns are classified as follows:--

       (1) Proper.

       (2) Common. (a) CLASS NAMES: i. Individual. ii. Collective.

       (b) MATERIAL.

       (3) Abstract. (a) ATTRIBUTE. (b) VERBAL

       Names for special objects.

       4. A proper noun is a name applied to a particular object, whether person, place, or thing.

       It specializes or limits the thing to which it is applied, reducing it to a narrow application. Thus, city is a word applied to any one of

       its kind; but Chicago names one city, and fixes the attention upon that particular city. King may be applied to any ruler of a kingdom,

       but Alfred the Great is the name of one king only.

       5

       The word proper is from a Latin word meaning limited, belonging to one. This does not imply, however, that a proper name can

       be applied to only one object, but that each time such a name is applied it is fixed or proper to that object. Even if there are several

       Bostons or Manchesters, the name of each is an individual or proper name.

       Name for any individual of a class.

       5. A common noun is a name possessed by any one of a class of persons, animals, or things. Common, as here used, is from a Latin word which means general, possessed by all.

       For instance, road is a word that names any highway outside of cities; wagon is a term that names any vehicle of a certain kind used

       for hauling: the words are of the widest application. We may say, the man here, or the man in front of you, but the word man is here hedged in by other words or word groups: the name itself is of general application.

       Name for a group or collection of objects.