accusative absolute

noun

: a construction in German consisting of a noun in the accusative case joined with a predicate that does not include a finite verb and usually capable of being construed as the modifier of the principal verb in its sentence (as den hut in der hand in den hut in der hand ging er ins haus "hat in hand he went into the house")

: a construction in English, especially colloquial English, consisting of a pronoun in the accusative case joined with a predicate that does not include a finite verb and otherwise identical with the nominative absolute (as him being my friend in "him being my friend, I granted his request")

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of accusative absolute was in 1830

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Accusative absolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accusative%20absolute. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation