ergative

n. in English and some other languages, a verb that can be used either transitively or intransitively with the same noun to describe the same action. An example is close in I closed the door or the door closed: The direct object of the transitive verb (here door) becomes the subject of the intransitive verb. Such constructions are of great interest in case grammar and generative grammar.

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Psychology term of the day

September 17th 2024

philosophy of mind

the branch of philosophy concerned with questions about the nature and functioning of mind and consciousness and the relationship of mind and mental activity to brain and body and to the external world (see mind–body problem). It is deeply concerned with the relationships among language, thought, and action.