Page:A Danish and Dano-Norwegian grammar.djvu/97

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ETYMOLOGY.
83

when connected with a numeral, no plural. Ex.: To Fod Vand two feet of water (but to Födder two feet, as part of the body). Other such words: Alen ell, Meter, Fad cask, Anker anker, Daler Dollar, Glas glass. But Krone crown (coin), Tönde barrel, and others ending in -e take plural; also Pot (Potte) quart, Oksehoved hog's head, plur. Oksehoveder, Mark (1/2 lb) may have plur. N. Mærker, but also unchanged, Bog quire, plur. Böger, Favn cord and fathom pl. Farne. Læst, last (two Reg. tons) pl. Læster. Also: en Hær paa 1000 Mand an army of 1000 men.

Other nouns only occur in plural; Ex.: Forældre parents, Forfædre ancestors, Söskende brothers and sisters (at least one of each), Penge money, Indvolde entrails, Briller eyeglasses, Tyvekoster (also Koster alone) stolen property, Höns chickens.

Others have singular but in a different meaning from the plural: Klæder clothes, but Klæde cloth (see also § 140), Kopper (Smaakopper) smallpox, but Kop—Kopper cup, Midler means (money), Middel means (instrument).

Note. Colloquially it is common to say: Jeg er gode Venner med ham I am on friendly terms with him.



THE ADJECTIVES.


I. Declension of Adjectives.

172. The adjectives have a stronger or indefinite and a weak or definite form.

173. The indefinite form has its neuter ending in t, its plural in -e. The definite form has the ending -e all through