Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Word Classes (mérē toû lógou), Ancient Theories of
(3,901 words)

Abstract

The term ‘parts of speech’ refers to the distinction of (paradigms of) word classes (with their characterizing features or accidentia). The history of the division into parts of speech starts with Plato and Aristotle; centuries later, the Alexandrian grammarians established a set of eight parts of speech. This doctrine was transmitted to the Roman world; with slight adaptations, it …

Cite this page
Alfons Wouters and Pierre Swiggers, “Word Classes (mérē toû lógou), Ancient Theories of”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 25 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_COM_00000400>
First published online: 2013



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