— 34 —
Ex: Dévan (= a god), makan (= a son), tíyan * (= a toddy-
drawer), rájávŭ (= king).
62. What is the feminine gender?
The feminine gender is that which betokens the female
sex; the most common affixes for this are 'aḷ' and 'i'.
Ex: makaḷ (= a daughter), dévi (= a goddess), tíyatti (= fem.
of tíyan), tamburáṭṭi (= a princess).
63. What is the neuter gender?
That which betokens what is neither male nor female,
and also all irrational beings; the most common neuter
affix is 'am'.
Ex: déšam (= hamlet), maram (= tree), áṭŭ (= sheep), pakshi
(=bird), puzhu (= insect, worm), kallŭ (= stone).
64. How many distinctions are there arising from num-
ber?
Two, viz: the singular and the plural.
65. What is the singular number?
That variety of the noun which shews only one thing.
Ex: 'makan', 'makaḷ', 'maram'.
66. What is the plural number?
That variety of the noun which shews more than one.
Ex: 'makkaḷ' (= children), 'maranggal' (= trees), 'bráhmaṇar'
(= brahmins).
* Literally, an islander, the Tiyans having, it is said, originally
come from Ceylon.
