In Gk the neuter plural can be used for abstract nouns, e.g., kala, "the Good," rather than "the good things." Does this use of the neuter plural occur in Latin?
I'm working on St. Ambrose's Epistula XL.3, in which bonorum and malorum seem better rendered as "good" and "bad," rather than "good things" and "bad things."
Thanks!
ATD
Neuter plurals of adjectives for abstract nouns?
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Yes, it is very normal to translate substantive adjectives in that manner. In the case of the genitive, it is somewhat ambiguous as to whether it is "the good (men/people)" or "good things", but I assume the context makes that clear.
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