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I am trying to figure out the difference between a word and a form of a word.

Which is the comparative version of an adjective in the positive degree:

  • an adjective different from the adjective, or
  • a form of the adjective?

In English, is it correct that good and better are two different adjectives, instead of two forms of the same adjective?

Thanks.

Tim
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    Are you asking about Latin, or English? – Draconis May 02 '23 at 05:27
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    Either way, you'll need to be more specific about what counts as the "same" word. Are amō and amat different words? How about sum and esse? Ferre and tulī? Fiō and faciō? – Draconis May 02 '23 at 05:28
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    This might be better suited to Linguistics. But there's no answer here, as it could be either depending on one's interpretation. It's completely subjective. I will say though that usually when the comparative form (or other forms) come from a different root (like the English "good" and "better"), they're seen as two different words, with the latter taking the role of the missing form of the former. – cmw May 02 '23 at 12:07
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    @cmw Lexicographers mostly treat them as the same word, i.e., there is no separate entry for melior or optimus, etc. – Sebastian Koppehel May 03 '23 at 16:03
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    @SebastianKoppehel Traditional lexicography, yes, although some dictionaries do have separate entries (with a note saying "see X). I understood the question in light of linguistics, but certainly a lexicographic approach is equally valid. – cmw May 03 '23 at 20:47

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