THE ORDINAL NUMBERS.
[§ 262]. By referring to § [259], we see that -m was an early sign of the superlative degree. This bears upon the numerals seven, nine, and ten.
These are cardinal numbers. Nevertheless, the present chapter is the proper place for noticing them.
There is good reason for believing that the final -n is no part of the original root. Thus,—
a. Sev-en = the Latin sept-em, where the -m is equivalent to the -n. But in the Greek ἑπτὰ, and the Scandinavian syv, and sju, neither -n nor -m occur.
b. Ni-ne.—This same applies here. The Latin form is nov-em; but the Greek and Norse are ἐννέα and niu.
c. Ten.—The older form is ti-h-un, in Latin de-c-em. The English -n is the Latin -m. Nevertheless, in the Greek and Norse the forms are δέκα and tuo.
[§ 263]. What explains this? The following hypothesis. Some of the best German authorities believe, that the -m, expressive of the superlative degree, was also used to denote the ordinal character (ordinality) of the numerals; so that the -m- in deci-m-us, was the -m- in ulti-m-us and exti-m-us. This is the first step in the explanation.
[§ 264]. The next is, to suppose that certain cardinal numerals have taken and retained the ordinal form; these being the—