phrases consisting of the adjectives “gigantisch”, “kolossaal”, and “reusachtig ” and manually annotate each adjective-noun pair with a gradable or nongradable label. Using these features, we construct a statistical model based on logistic regression and find that the grammatical role, definiteness

Abstract Degree readings of size adjectives, as in big stamp-collector, cannot be explained as merely a consequence of vagueness or as an extra-grammatical phenomenon. Rather, they reflect the grammatical architecture of nominal gradability. Such readings are available only for size adjectives

semantics of nouns derived from gradable adjectives

that gradability is character-istic not only of adjectives but also of verbs and nouns, and that scalar properties are shared by categorially distinct but derivationally-related expressions. 1. DEGREE MODIFICATION IN DEVERBAL GRADABLE ADJECTIVES Among the many observations made in Bolinger’s (1972) classic study

is characteristic not only of adjec-tives but also of verbs and nouns, and that scalar properties are shared by categorially distinct but derivationally-related expressions.∗ 1. DEGREE MODIFICATION IN DEVERBAL GRADABLE ADJECTIVES Among the many observations made in Bolinger’s (1972) classic study of degree expres-

that gradability is characteristic not only of adjectives but also of verbs and nouns, and that scalar properties are shared by categorially distinct but derivationally-related expressions. ∗ 2 1. DEGREE MODIFICATION IN DEVERBAL GRADABLE ADJECTIVES Among the many

This paper examines the significance of the schematic domain of BOUNDEDNESS in adjectives. It is proposed that boundedness in adjectives is a fundamental characteristic associated with gradability. Cross-categorial correspondences are made to nouns and verbs, where boundedness is a feature

, counting require access to sets of semantic atoms, thus count nouns but not mass nouns can be directly modified by numerals. A third relevant notion of atomicity, to be distinguished from both formal and semantic atomicity, is natural atomicity. This is a (gradable) property of predicates which denote

reference to abstract representations of measurement, or "scales". A question that has not been seriously addressed, however, is whether scalar representations underlie the semantic properties of categories other than gradable adjectives. This question is important because gradability

, counting require access to sets of semantic atoms, thus count nouns but not mass nouns can be directly modified by numerals. A third relevant notion of atomicity, to be distinguished from both formal and semantic atomicity, is natural atomicity. This is a (gradable) property of predicates which denote