Rudimenta prima grammatices, ex eruditissimis quibusque grammaticis excerpta

What is Feminine gender? That which pertains to females only in that kind of things which receives both sexes: as Woman, Cornelia, Weaver.

Why did you say "in that kind of things which receives both sexes"? Because genders which receive a distinction of male and female are indeed natural: the rest, masculine or feminine, descend from authority. For we call that noun masculine or feminine which is accustomed to be joined only to masculines or feminines by approved writers: as "this stone" hic lapis, "this house" hæc domus. For in these we understand no natural sex, but we follow the one which authority has formed.

What is Neuter gender? That which is proper neither to male nor female, and which in common usage of speaking is joined to words that are neither masculine nor feminine: as, Rock, beast of burden, property.

What is Common gender? That which signifies equally male and female: and is therefore called common of two genders: as "this [male or female] priest" hic & hæc sacerdos, "this [male or female] cave" hic & hæc specus.

What is "All" gender? That which can agree with words of any gender: and is therefore called common of three genders, as "this swift, happy, powerful one" hic & hæc & hoc velox, fœlix, potens: "this all" hic & hæc omnis & hoc omne.

What is Promiscuous or epicene gender? That which under one gender signifies both sexes: as "sparrow" passer, "kite" miluus, which are under the masculine: "eagle" aquila, "weasel" mustella, which under the feminine comprehend both genders.

What is Doubtful gender? That which, for no reason but only the will of authors, is uttered by some as masculine, by others as feminine: as "this edge, bark, or day" hic aut hæc margo, cortex, dies.

How do Epicene and Common differ? They differ thus, that in common we distinguish the sex by the article: as "this [male] dog, or this [female] dog": but in epicene, one article is used, under which we understand both sexes: as "this [female/epicene] eagle."

But which article is to be taken in this? The one that authority provides. For since we cannot naturally detect the sex in epicenes, we must be confirmed by authority.

What is number? The form of a word by which a distinction of quality is made.

How many numbers of nouns are there? Two. Which? Singular, which signifies one only: as "wise." Plural, which signifies more: as "wise [plural]."

Dual