Page:Sanskrit Grammar by Whitney p1.djvu/201

 a. The feminine stems of these adjectives are श्रेयसी and गरीयसी.

465. a. The Vedic voc. masc. (as in the two preceding divisions: 454 b, 462 a) is in instead of : thus,,  (RV.: no examples elsewhere have been noted).

b. No example of a middle case occurs in RV. or AV.

c. In the later language are found a very few apparent examples of strong cases made from the weaker stem-form: thus, and  acc. masc., du.,  nom. pl.

466. Derivative adjective stems having a comparative and superlative meaning — or often also (and more originally) a merely intensive value — are made either directly from roots (by primary derivation), or from other derivative or compound stems (by secondary derivation).

a. The subject of comparison belongs more properly to the chapter of derivation; but it stands in such near relation to inflection that it is, in accordance with the usual custom in grammars, conveniently and suitably enough treated briefly here.

467. The suffixes of primary derivation are ईयस् (or ईयांस् ) for the comparative and इष्ठ  for the superlative. The root before them is accented, and usually strengthened by gunating, if capable of it — or, in some cases, by nasalization or prolongation. They are much more frequently and freely used in the oldest language than later; in the classical Sanskrit, only a limited number of such comparatives and superlatives are accepted in use; and these attach themselves in meaning for the most part to other adjectives from the same root, which seem to be their corresponding positives; but in part also they are artificially connected with other words, unrelated with them in derivation.

a. Thus, from hurl come  and, which belong in meaning to  quick; from  encompass come  and , which belong to  broad; while, for example,