[Sidenote: _Adjectives irregularly compared._]
163. Among the variously derived adjectives now in our language
there are some which may always be recognized as native English. These
are adjectives irregularly compared.
Most of them have worn down or become confused with similar words, but
they are essentially the same forms that have lived for so many
centuries.
The following lists include the majority of them:--
LIST I
1. Good or well Better Best
2. Evil, bad, ill Worse Worst
3. Little Less, lesser Least
4. Much or many More Most
5. Old Elder, older Eldest, oldest
6. Nigh Nigher Nighest, next
7. Near Nearer Nearest
8. Far Farther, further Farthest, furthest
9. Late Later, latter Latest, last
10. Hind Hinder Hindmost, hindermost
LIST II
These have no adjective positive:--
1. [In] Inner Inmost, innermost
2. [Out] Outer, utter {Outmost, outermost
{Utmost, uttermost
3. [Up] Upper Upmost, uppermost
LIST III
A few of comparative form but not comparative meaning:--
After Over Under Nether
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