|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
COPULA
COPULA. A VERB that joins a SUBJECT to its COMPLEMENT. A term in the GRAMMAR of English for the verb be, but often extended to other verbs with a similar function. These copular verbs (also linking verbs) can be divided semantically into two types: (1) Those like be that refer to a current state: appear, feel, remain, seem, sound. (2) Those that indicate a result of some kind: become, get (wet); go (bad); grow (old); turn (nasty). Be is the copula that most often takes adverbial complements: Maud was in the garden; Dinner is at seven. All others take subject complements which characterize or identify the subject: I felt cold; I felt a fool.
|
|
|
Cite this article
TOM McARTHUR. "COPULA." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. TOM McARTHUR. "COPULA." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-COPULA.html TOM McARTHUR. "COPULA." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-COPULA.html |
|
copula
copula (gram.) part of a proposition connecting subject and predicate, spec. the verb ‘to be’; connection XVII. — L. cōpula connection, linking of words, f. CO- + apere fasten; see APT, -ULE, and cf. COUPLE.
So copulate †couple; unite sexually. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. cōpulāre, f. cōpula; see -ATE 3. copulation XIV. — (O)F. — L. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "copula." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "copula." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-copula.html T. F. HOAD. "copula." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-copula.html |
|
copula
cop·u·la / ˈkäpyələ/ • n. Logic & Gram. a connecting word, in particular a form of the verb be connecting a subject and complement. DERIVATIVES: cop·u·lar / ˈkäpyələr/ adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"copula." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "copula." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-copula.html "copula." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-copula.html |
|
copula
copula
•ampulla, bulla, fuller, Müller, pula, puller
•titular • Weissmuller • wirepuller
•incunabula, tabular
•preambular • glandular • coagula
•angular, quadrangular, rectangular, triangular
•Dracula, facula, oracular, spectacular, vernacular
•cardiovascular, vascular
•annular, granular
•scapula • capsular • spatula
•tarantula • nebula • scheduler
•calendula
•irregular, regular
•Benbecula, molecular, secular, specular
•cellular • fibula • Caligula • singular
•auricular, curricula, curricular, diverticula, funicular, lenticular, navicular, particular, perpendicular, testicular, vehicular, vermicular
•primula
•insular, peninsula
•fistula, Vistula
•globular
•modular, nodular
•binocular, jocular, ocular
•oscular
•copula, popular
•consular • formula • tubular • uvula
•jugular
•avuncular, carbuncular
•crepuscular, majuscular, minuscular, muscular
•pustular
•circular, semicircular, tubercular
•Ursula
|
|
|
Cite this article
"copula." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "copula." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-copula.html "copula." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-copula.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
