Any word or group of words which can be used as either subject or predicate of a proposition is a logical term. If the one word in question can be used as either subject or predicate of a proposition then it must be a categorematic word. If it is impossible to use the one word as either subject or predicate of a proposition then this is a sure indication that such a word is syncategorematic.For example, there is no sense in the expressions, “_And_ is honest,” “_Of_ is not true”; hence _and_ and _of_ are syncategorematic.
We may conclude from this that nouns, descriptive adjectives and verbs may be categorematic words, while adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions are syncategorematic words.
4. SINGULAR TERMS.
A singular term is a term which denotes one object or one attribute.
Proper nouns, when they stand for individuals, are singular terms, such as John Adams, Mississippi River, Socrates. Some proper names stand for a class of objects, as the Caesars, the Mephistopheles, the Napoleons. But when thus used they lose their character as proper names. Such names, therefore, are general terms, not singular.
Common nouns may be made singular by some modifying word, as the first man, the pole star, the highest good, my pet dog, etc.
Certain attributes which imply a oneness or a distinct individuality are singular, such as absolute justice, birds-egg blue, perfect happiness, etc.
Some claim that terms like water, air, salt, etc., are singular, as they stand for one thing. This, however, cannot be if such terms admit the possibility of classification as: hard water, soft water, mineral water.
5. GENERAL TERMS.
A general term is one which denotes an indefinite number of objects or attributes.