singulative

Definition

Of or pertaining to a grammatical form or construction that expresses the individuation of a single referent from a mass noun.

Etymology

From French singulatif, from Latin singillatim (“singly", "one by one”), from singulus (“single", "separate”), from Proto-Italic *sem-g-lo-, a diminutive form derived from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one, together”).

Example Sentences

• "English doesn't have a singulative number in general, but many uncountable nouns have usual singulative constructions."