§ [139]. A superlativ with an m-suffix is found in six words, which ar derived from adverbial stems and appear without a positiv. The m-suffix is either simpl: fru-ma, innu-ma, aúhu-ma, or compound: af-tuma, if-tuma, hlei-duma.
Two of them hav assumed a comparativ meaning: aúhuma, higher; hleiduma, left (ἀριστερός); the others hav a superlativ or an intensiv signification: aftuma, the last; iftuma, the next; innuma, the inmost; fruma, the first.
These words follow the weak inflection, but hav the f. in -ei, exactly like the comparativs.
Note. Sum superlativs in -ma ar compared anew in the uzual manner: aftumists, the last; aúhumists, oftener than aúhmists (cp. OE. ŷmest, Sievers-Cook, OE. Gr., § 314, n. 3), the highest; frumists, the first.—The forms hindumists, hindmost, spêdumists, last (< *spêþs, beside spêdiza, spêdists), suggest the missing hinduma and spêduma. Also miduma, midst, midumônds, mediator, point to a form *miduma, midl (cp. OE. meodume, midmest).
CHAP. III. NUMERALS.
1. CARDINALS.
§ [140]. The first three numerals ar declinabl in all cases and genders.
1. ains, n. ain and ainata, f. aina, inflects entirely like a strong adj. (blinds, [§ 123]). Plural forms mean only, alone. No weak inflection is found. ([§ 122], n. 1).
| 2. | M. | N. | F. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N. | twai | twa | twôs | |
| G. | twaddjê | — | ||
| D. | twaim | twaim | ||
| A. | twans | twa | twôs | |
| 3. | N. | — | þrija | — |
| G. | þrijê | — | ||
| D. | þrim | — | ||
| A. | þrins | þrija | þrins | |