In ruanj cases, two ideas which are completely opposed to each
other, admit of an intermediate or neutral idea, equidistant from
both ; all these being expressible by corresponding definite terms.
Thus, in the following examples, the words in the first and third
columns, which express opposite ideas, admit of the intermediate
terms contained in the middle column, having a neutral sense with
reference to the former.
Identity, Difference, Contrariety. Beginning, Middle, End. Past, Present, Future.
In other cases, the intermediate word is simply the negative to each of two opposite positions ; as, for example, —
Convexity, Flatness, Concavity. Desire, Indifference, Aversion.
Sometimes the intermediate word is properly the standard with which each of the extremes is compared ; as in the case of
Insufficiency, Sufficiency, Redundance ;
for here the middle term. Sufficiency, is equally opposed, on the one hand to Insifficiency, and on the other to Redundance.[1]
These forms of correlative expressions would suggest the use of triple, instead of double, columns, for tabulating this threefold
- ↑ [In the following cases, the intermediate word signifies an imperfect
degree of each of the qualities set in opposition—
Light, Dimness, Darkness.
Transjjarency, Semitranspaa Tncy, Opacity.
Vision, Dimsiglitedness, Blindness.']
guages differ very much with regard to the particular words where this distinction obtains; and may thence afford very strong inferences concerning the
manners and customs of different nations. The military government of the
Ecman emperors had exalted the soldiery so high that they balanced all the
Ciher orders of the state : hence miles and j^aganiis "became relativefSrms ; a
thing, till then, unknown to ancient, and still so to modern languages.' — 'The
term for a slave, born and bred in the family, was verna. As sermts was the
name of the genus, and verna of the species without any correlative, this forms
a strong presumption that the latter were by far the least numerous : and from
the same principles I infer that if the number of slaves brought by the Romans
from f oreign.countries had not extremely exceeded those which, were bred at
home, vcriia would have had a correlative, which would have expressed the
former species of slaves. But these, it would seem, composed the main body
of the ancient slaves, and the latter were but a few exceptions.' — Hume Essay on the Pojmlousness of Ancient Nations.
The warlike propensity of the same nation may, in like manner, be inferred
from the use of the word hosti.<i to denote both a foreigner and an enemy.
