Numeral Adjectives

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185. The cardinal and ordinal numbers are given in the table (§ 188). The notation in the second column is Byzantine, and now less used. ϛ (abbreviation for στ) takes the place of ϝ (§ 27) for six; ϙ (koppa) and ϡ (sampi) are old letters retained for this purpose only. The symbols are combined by addition, the larger sum being written at the left.

̗̗αϡβˊ= 1902

186. The ordinal numbers, and the cardinal numbers from διᾱκόσιοι on, are adjectives of three endings. The other cardinals are indeclinable, except the first four, which are as follows.

187. Numeral Adjectives

Goodell: Numeral Adjectives 1, 3, and 4 Chart

a. δύο (or δύω in poetry) sometimes has δυοῖν, ἄμφω (both) always has ἀμφοῖν, for the genitive and dative.

188. Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

Goodell: Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers 1-20 Chart

Goodell: Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers 30-10000 Chart

189. From οὐδὲ εἷς and μηδὲ εἷς (not even one) are formed the general negatives οὐδείς, μηδείς (no one).

Goodell: Numeral Adjectives, οὐδείς

a. Note the change of accent from εἷς to οὐδείς.

b. For οὔτις, μήτις see § 224.a.

190. When units, tens, etc., are combined, καί may be omitted if the larger number precedes, otherwise not. Thus 325 can be written:

πέντε καὶ εἴκοσι καὶ τριᾱκόσιοι
τριᾱκόσιοι καὶ εἴκοσι καὶ πέντε
τριᾱκόσιοι εἴκοσι πέντε

so with ordinals also.

191. Multiple adjectives are formed in -πλοῦς (-fold) [§§ 87, 90].

διπλοῦς  twofold
πολλαπλοῦς  manifold, etc.

Abstract and collective nouns of number are formed in -άς (stem -αδ), several of which English has adopted.

192. Also in -πλάσιος:

διπλάσιος  twice as great or as many [pl.]

πολλαπλάσιος  many times as great or many

Abstract and collective nouns of number are formed in -άς (stem -αδ), several of which English has adopted.

ἡ μονάς, μονάδος  unity, monad

ἡ δυάς, δυάδος  pair, duality

ἡ τριάς, τριάδος  trinity, triad

δεκάς  (the number) ten, decad, decade

μυριάς  myriad

ἑκατὸν μυριάδες  a million

For numeral adverbs, see §§ 232 and 233.

193. When it means countless, a great many, μῡ́ριοι is often printed μῡρίοι. In a related sense a singular μῡ́ριος is found.

ἐν πενίᾱͅ μῦρίᾱͅ  in the depths of poverty

Suggested Citation

Meagan Ayer, ed. Goodell’s School Grammar of Attic Greek. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-947822-10-8.https://dcc.dickinson.edu/grammar/goodell/numeral-adjectives