Numeric prefixes
To name a kind of thing by a number idea, put a number body in front of a content root, joined by x, the way English puts quasi-, proto-, multi-, or tri- in front of a noun. The number then describes the kind itself (its essence, its parts, its rank, its catalog code) instead of counting anything in the sentence. The root comes last, as in every x compound, so the word is a kind of the root. (cue: number, then x, then the root)
On this page
Numeric prefixes (number + x + ROOT)
English often names a kind of thing with a number idea baked in (essence of love, a three-part dialogue, a quasi-friend, specimen #1). In Ageben you write the role letter, a number body, x, then the content root and its ending. The number body has no role letter and no ending of its own; the role letter and one word ending belong to the whole word. You can then use that word in any role: the number describes the kind, not how many there are. (cue: the hyphen in tri-dialogue)
zrawaxolamal.z-infinity-x-love
"There is an essence of love."
PoS + NUM + {x|mx} + ROOT + {-l|-m|-n|-r}| Piece | Use | Cue |
|---|---|---|
| PoS | Ordinary slot for the whole word | |
| NUM | Number body: the same marker vowel and digit or digitless exponent as a free number, without the role letter and the ending (grawal → rawa). Tables below use shorthand (+e, _12, +1e, …), but real words are always spelled out (rawa, robado, rabawa, …): writing style | it starts with r, like every spoken number |
| seam | x the number is exact; mx approximately that number | the same m as gragem about three |
| ROOT | Any content root (V(CV)+), or an ordinary x compound, whose last root is the kind | |
| Ending | The root's sense, as on any x compound: -l its everyday sense, -m its abstract sense; or -n a name, -r a resume | zrawaxolamam is the essence of love in its abstract sense, cherished |
The Ageben columns below write the shape in shorthand (+exROOT), but a real word is always spelled out (zrawaxolamal): shorthand is for free numbers only.
An m before the x makes the number approximate:
zazozon dragemxezuyol vayebel.z-Azozon | d-three.about-x-speech | v-see
"Azozon sees a roughly three-part dialogue."
Compare with: a free number word counts, ranks, or labels something in the sentence. A numeric prefix describes the kind.
A body with digits has one digit only: +N / -N (how many parts) or #N (which rank). The marker gives the spoken vowel (ra / ru / re). A numeric-prefix noun takes plural -x at the end as usual: zragexezuyolx (plurality). It is a content word, so it stresses its first syllable (zra in zragexezuyol), not the last digit as a free number does. In a hosted bl- slot the l is syllabic before r, as on a hosted number: blragexezuyol.
Limit / polarity / stage (digitless)
The digitless number words (plus or minus infinity, first or last place, more than one) also work as prefixes. Before a root, they say what the kind is at a limit: its essence, its smallest grain, its absence, its first or final form, many of it, or its undoing.
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
+exROOT | essence / absolute / pure type of ROOT | zrawaxolamal: essence of love | +e = plus with no cap: nothing left to add |
+e-xROOT | grain / seed / infinitesimal of ROOT | zrawuxolamal: grain of love | +e- = that same plus, at the tiny end: a speck |
-exROOT | void of / absolute anti-ROOT | zruwaxevemul: void of fear | -e = minus with no floor: none of the kind |
-e-xROOT | quasi-ROOT: the shape of ROOT without treating it as fully real (English quasi-); -e-1xROOT / -e-2xROOT = quasi-N | zruwuxahuyayel: quasi-friend; zruwudoxehom: quasi-pair | -e- = imaginary amount: the outline, not the ledger |
#e-xROOT | origin / prototype / onset-form of ROOT | zrowuxolamal: love in its beginning form | #e- = start-place: the first rung |
#exROOT | telos / culmination / final form of ROOT | zrowaxonom: story’s final form | #e = last place: where the kind finishes |
+xROOT | poly- / multi-ROOT (unspecified >1) | zraxehaham: multi-faith | + = more than one, how many unnamed |
-xROOT | de- / un- / deficit-ROOT | vruxonom: to de-tale | - = take that structure away |
Quasi-ROOT (-e- / -e-1 / -e-2)
English quasi- says something has the shape or role of a kind without counting as the real thing (quasi-friend, quasi-official). Spell that as -e-xROOT: the kind’s outline, not a full claim that it is that kind. Change only the role letter to use it as a noun, verb, adjective, and so on.
zahelan gruwuxahuyayel.z-Ahelan | g-quasi-x-friend
"Ahelan is a quasi-friend."
| PoS | -e-x… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
/z/ /d/ /b/ (noun) | a quasi-entity | zruwuxahuyayel: a quasi-friend; druwuxubemum: a quasi-melancholy |
/v/ (verb) | to treat as quasi- / as-if that kind | vruwuxahuyayel: to quasi-befriend / treat as friend-shaped |
/ɡ/ (adjective) | quasi- (ascribed) | gruwuxezazem: quasi-official |
/h/ (adverb) | under quasi- framing | hruwuxezazem: quasi-officially |
/w/ (extra detail) | host graded as quasi- | wruwuxubemum gubemum: quasi-melancholy |
/y/ (interjection) | Quasi-! / As if that kind! | yruwuxahuyayel |
Compare with: with no root, gruwul is the just short amount, and vruwul / thruwul / yruwul / xruwul are that number as a verb, stance, interjection, or discourse word. Before a root, -e-xROOT makes quasi- that kind.
Quasi-N (-e-1 / -e-2)
For quasi- with a number of parts (as if one, as if a pair), write -e-N, where N is the digit that +N uses for that many parts. Spoken, the body is ru + wu + the digit N: a bare order of magnitude, with no digit before the exponent. The word says the kind has that many parts only as if, not really.
Compare with: with no root, gruwubal / gruwudol are real negative amounts in the order-of-magnitude bands −1 / −2.
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
-e-1xROOT | quasi-unit / as-if singleton: unit-shaped without being a real one (twin +1xROOT) | zruwubaxadowem: a quasi-single voice / as-if primary voice | -e- outline + 1 = as-if one |
-e-2xROOT | quasi-dual / imaginary duality: pair/mutual as if, not real reciprocity (twin +2xROOT) | gruwudoxebewom: quasi-mutual commitment; zruwudoxehom: quasi-pair / as-if partnership | -e- outline + 2 = as-if a pair |
| Ageben | Use |
|---|---|
+2xROOT | real dual / mutual structure |
-2xROOT | privative: non-reciprocal / one-sided |
-e-2xROOT | quasi-dual: mutuality as if / imaginary duality |
-e-xROOT | general quasi (N unnamed) |
g-e-2 | free real negative amount, OoM −2 band |
For a zero-shaped quasi, use -0xROOT (anti-null) or -0e-xROOT (micro-residue). The role letters work as in the quasi table above.
Scalar digit morphs (+N / -N)
English a pair of…, three-part…, primary… can say how many parts the kind has, not how many things the sentence is about. Write a one-digit plus body before the x: spoken, the marker then the digit (ra+ba for +1, spelled as in zrabaxadowem). A minus body -N (including -0, spoken ru+digit) is the privative: the kind lacks or undoes the +N structure (one-sided instead of mutual). The tables write the bodies in shorthand (+N / -N).
zazozon dradoxebewom vayebel.z-Azozon | d-two-x-commitment | v-see
"Azozon sees mutual commitment."
| Ageben | Use | English | -N | Privative English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+1xROOT | unit / primary / singleton | zrabaxadowem: a single / primary voice; SI measure nouns use published unit metaphors instead (measure phrases) | zrubaxadowem | an indistinct / non-singular voice | 1 = one piece |
+2xROOT | dual / mutual / reciprocal / pair | gradoxebewom: mutual commitment | grudoxebewom | one-sided commitment | 2 = two sides |
+3xROOT | triad / triplet / 3-part / ternary | zragexezuyol: a three-part dialogue | zrugexogahom | non-tripartite institution | 3 = three parts |
+4xROOT | quad / 4-part / square / frame | zrahuxuhuyom: a four-part / framed judgment | zruhuxemunam | an unframed message | 4 = four sides of a frame |
+5xROOT | hand / pentad / agency-set | zrazaxuwal: a handy / five-fold toolkit | zruzaxagom | a plan without practical grasp | 5 = fingers of a hand |
+6xROOT | hex / 6-part / honeycomb / pack | zravoxuvahal: a hexagonal / six-pack product | zruvoxuhunam | an unpacked team | 6 = honeycomb / six-pack |
+7xROOT | heptad / week-cycle / complete series | zrarexezudam: a seven-fold / week-cycle ritual | zrurexezudam | a broken-cycle ritual | 7 = days that close a week |
+8xROOT | octet / 8-part / doubled-quad | zraluxugohum: an octet / eight-part blockage | zruluxugohum | a non-octet blockage | 8 = two frames (4+4) |
+9xROOT | ennead / near-full / almost-ten | zranaxonurel: a nine-part / near-full choir | zrunaxonurel | a far-from-full choir | 9 = one short of ten |
+0xROOT | null / reset / emptied | vramoxodoram: to zero-score / null the score | grumoxodoram | a score that won’t null / stubborn residual score (anti-null) | 0 = empty count |
Not the same job as: ordinal digit morphs #N (which order). +N is how many parts.
Null / anti-null by PoS (+0 / -0)
+0 treats ROOT as resettable / emptied; -0 treats ROOT as resisting emptying (insistent residue). The role letter says what kind of thing is emptied or resists. -exROOT is void of ROOT (no such kind); +0xROOT is a resettable instance of that kind.
| PoS | +0x… | -0x… | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
/z/ /d/ /b/ (noun) | emptied / wiped instance | entity that won’t zero / stubborn residue | zramoxaram: a wiped debt; zrumoxaram: a debt that won’t zero; drumoxevum: that memory that won’t blank; brumoxodoram: non-null residue as argument |
/v/ (verb) | act of nulling / resetting | act that refuses null / keeps residual | vramoxodoram: to null the score; vrumoxodoram: to anti-null / refuse to zero the score; vramoxuzubam: to zero effort; vrumoxuzubam: to leave effort unzeroable |
/ɡ/ (adjective) | null / reset (ascribed) | non-emptyable / residual (ascribed) | gramoxodoram: null / reset; grumoxodoram: won’t-null / residual; grumoxuwuyom: hope that won’t go to zero (vs gruwaxuwuyom void of hope) |
/h/ (adverb) | clause framed as reset / zeroed | clause framed as irreducible residue | hramoxuzubam: with effort zeroed; hrumoxuzubam: with irreducible effort / despite any zeroing |
/w/ (extra detail) | host /ɡ/ graded toward null | host /ɡ/ graded toward anti-null | wramoxaram garam: debt (ascribed) zeroed; wrumoxaram garam: debt whose balance is anti-null |
/y/ (interjection) | discourse Zero it! / Null! | discourse Won’t zero! / Residue stands! | yramoxodoram; yrumoxodoram |
With a final -m, the wipe is only approximate: nearly emptied.
zazozon dramomxaram vayebel.z-Azozon | d-zero.about-x-debt | v-see
"Azozon sees a nearly wiped debt."
Related form: a stronger wipe of the kind is total null +0exROOT. Annihilate with no root is the free number verb vramowal.
Zero × exponent (+0e / ±0e-1 / …)
The zero × exponent bodies from free numbers also work before a root. There they say the kind is wiped out, or leaves a residue, instead of naming an amount. Free vramowal is annihilate with no kind attached; vramowaxodoram is annihilate the score.
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
+0exROOT | total null / absolute wipe of the kind | vramowaxodoram: annihilate the score (kind); zramowaxaram: a totally wiped debt-kind | 0 empty × e unbounded = wipe with no leftover scale |
+0e-xROOT | sterile / null grain of ROOT | zramowuxuwuyom: sterile hope; zramowuxarunul: registration with no seed | 0e- = empty at the tiny end: no seed |
+0e-1xROOT | engineering null at order of magnitude −1 of ROOT: kind wiped at scale 10⁻¹ | zrawubayamoxobevam: deci-null problem; vrawubayamoxodoram: null the score at deci scale | 0e-1 = empty at the tenths band |
-0exROOT | absolute residue of ROOT | zrumowaxaram: debt as absolute residue; vrumowaxuzubam: leave effort as absolute residue | -0e = the minus of total wipe: residue that will not go |
-0e-xROOT | micro-residue of ROOT | zrumowuxevum: memory as micro-residue | -0e- = residue at the tiny end |
-0e-1xROOT | engineering residue at order of magnitude −1 of ROOT | zruwubayamoxaram: debt as deci-scale residue | -0e-1 = residue at the tenths band |
The ending on the whole word marks soft (-m), named (-n), or resume (-r) as usual.
Emptiness chain (kinds): -exROOT (void of kind), +0xROOT (resettable null), +0exROOT (total null), +0e-xROOT (sterile grain), +0e-1xROOT (engineering null at 10⁻¹). On free numbers, bare grawamol / Ne0 instead assert order of magnitude 0.
On a free number, ±0e-1 is an amount. Before a root, the same bodies wipe the kind, or leave a residue of it, at that scale.
Zero-exp prefix by PoS
| PoS | +0ex… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
/z/ /d/ /b/ | totally wiped / annihilated kind | zramowaxaram |
/v/ | annihilate that kind | vramowaxodoram |
/ɡ/ | ascribed total-null | gramowaxuwuyom |
/h/ | clause framed as total wipe | hramowaxuzubam |
/w/ | host graded toward total null | wramowaxaram garam |
/y/ | Annihilate that kind! | yramowaxodoram |
-0e / -0e- / ±0e-1 take the role letters the same way (absolute residue / micro-residue / engineering null·residue at order of magnitude −1). With no root: vramowal annihilate; gramowal absolute-zero amount; g+0e-1 / g-0e-1 engineering null / residue: numbers.md § Zero × exponent.
Rank-annihilated morph (#0e)
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
#0exROOT | rank-annihilated / disqualified form of ROOT: place wiped as a kind property | zromowaxamahum: a disqualified challenge (as type); vromowaxamahum: to disqualify that challenge-kind. Free g#0e is disqualified place in this series. | # is place; 0e wipes that place |
#0e vs #0: annihilated place vs zeroth-order rung. #0e vs +0e: rank wipe vs kind total-null. Free #e0 is current generation. Same role-letter framing as other ordinal morphs (/z/ disqualified kind, /v/ disqualify-as-kind, /y/ Disqualified!, …).
Ordinal digit morphs (#N)
English first draft, secondary adventure, third-order problem can name which rank the kind holds, not which item is Nth in a list. Write a one-digit rank body before the x: shorthand #NxROOT, spoken ro + digit, spelled as in drobaxobewom. A free g#N after a noun picks the Nth item in a series instead.
#N names a stage between the digitless ends #e- (first form) and #e (final form); #0e is rank annihilated. For lacks N parts, use the scalar minus body -N. For a code with several digits, use free g#12 or the label marker _.
zalazun drobaxobewom varuyol.z-Alazun | d-1st-x-draft | v-write
"Alazun writes a first draft."
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
#1xROOT | first-class / premiere / first-order | drobaxobewom: a first-draft (kind); dobewom g#1 the first draft (in this stack) | #1 = first place, not “ono piece” |
#2xROOT | secondary / second-order / backup | grodoxumunom: a secondary adventure | #2 = the next slot after first |
#3xROOT | tertiary / third-order | zrogexobevam: a third-order problem | #3 = third rung |
#4xROOT … #9 | Nth-order / Nth-place form | zrozaxoharem: fifth-order harmony (as a kind) | #N = Nth place on the kind |
#0xROOT | zeroth-order / pre-rank / unranked form | zromoxaborom: a zeroth-order calculation | #0 = the rung before ranking starts |
Not the same job as: +1 / +2 (singleton / dual). #1 is premiere-place; #2 is secondary. #0 is a zeroth rung; #0e is rank annihilated / disqualified.
Ordinal morph by PoS
| PoS | #Nx… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
/z/ /d/ /b/ (noun) | a rank-N kind | zrodoxobewom: a second-draft (as type); drobaxobewom: a first-draft |
/v/ (verb) | treat as / assign that order (kind-act) | vrobaxamahum: to first-class / premiere a challenge (free v#1 take 1st place) |
/ɡ/ (adjective) | Nth-order (ascribed) | grodoxumunom: secondary |
/h/ (adverb) | at Nth-order framing | hromoxaborom: zeroth-order |
/w/ (extra detail) | host /ɡ/ graded as Nth-order | wrogexezuyol gezuyol: third-order (dialogue) |
/y/ (interjection) | discourse call of that order-kind | yrobaxobewom: First-draft! (kind cheer; free y#1 First! place cheer) |
Related form: _N is which code; free g#N is which item in the current series.
Label / code sense (_)
When English makes a code part of what a thing is (specimen #1, room 12 as a kind of room), the digits are a catalog ID, not a count or a rank. Put the digit-string marker _ before the x; its digits are the code.
zazozon drebaxudewal vayebel.z-Azozon | d-_1-x-petri-dish | v-see
"Azozon sees specimen #1."
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
_xROOT | ROOT as something that bears a code (taggable unit; code unnamed) | zrexudewal: a coded specimen / a specimen-as-ID | _ = catalog stamp, digits not yet filled |
_NxROOT | specimen / item #N: the code is part of the kind | zrebaxudewal: specimen #1; zrebadoxohehal: room-12 as a coded kind; brebadoxohehal: room-12 as /b/ | the digits are the name, not a count |
When the number is only an argument of an ordinary noun, prefer ordinary syntax: zohehal g_12 = the room numbered 12. Use _NxROOT when the code is part of the concept (specimen ID, SKU, protocol code). To cite a numbered point in the conversation, use free x_…; to dial or enter a code, use free v_….
Digitless +/-/# on ROOT = what the kind is; digitless _ = how the catalog names it.
Hyperbole sense (+1e / #1e)
To exaggerate a kind for comic effect (a gazillion-mess, an umpteenth attempt), put a mantissa before a digitless exponent, as in free hyperbole. Use 1 as the mantissa unless the joke needs another digit.
| Ageben | Use | English | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
+1exROOT | gazillion-ROOT (comic huge) | zrabawaxazulam: a gazillion-mess | 1e = one × unbounded: comic huge |
+1e-xROOT | gazillionth-ROOT (comic tiny) | zrabawuxadevem: a gazillionth-of-a-chance | 1e- = one × unbounded tiny |
#1exROOT | umpteenth-ROOT (comic late rank) | zrobawaxoguvol: an umpteenth attempt (as a kind) | #1e = unbounded place: “umpteenth” |
Free hrobawal = for the gazillionth time (clause adverb). The prefix zrobawaxayam = an umpteenth co-participation (noun kind).
Practice
Short drills for Advanced. Try each item before opening Show answer.
Setting: a foundry
New words:
| English | Ageben | Cue |
|---|---|---|
| gold | ugulol | 🥇 |
| fire | avulul | 🔥 |
| factory | uvahal | 🏭 |
Review:
| English | Ageben |
|---|---|
| Azozon | azozon |
| Alazun | alazun |
| Ahelan | ahelan |
| hammer | vohowel |
| pour | vowuvul |
| see | vayebel |
English → Ageben
1. Azozon hammers a grain of gold.
Show answer
zazozon drawuxugulol vohowel.
z-Azozon | d-grain-x-gold | v-hammer
2. Ahelan sees a primary factory.
Show answer
zahelan drabaxuvahal vayebel.
z-Ahelan | d-one-x-factory | v-see
3. Azozon pours a quasi-gold.
Show answer
zazozon druwuxugulol vowuvul.
z-Azozon | d-quasi-x-gold | v-pour
4. Alazun annihilates the gold-kind.
Show answer
zalazun vramowaxugulol.
z-Alazun | v-+-0e-x-gold
Ageben → English
1. zahelan drawaxugulol vayebel.
Show answer
z-Ahelan | d-infinity-x-gold | v-see
Ahelan sees the essence of gold.
2. zazozon drowuxavulul vayebel.
Show answer
z-Azozon | d-origin-x-fire | v-see
Azozon sees fire in its beginning form.
3. zalazun dragexuvahal vayebel.
Show answer
z-Alazun | d-three-x-factory | v-see
Alazun sees a three-part factory.
4. zalazun vrumoxavulul.
Show answer
z-Alazun | v-minus-zero-x-fire
Alazun refuses to let the fire go to zero.
Pick one
1. Alazun pours a first-class gold. zalazun drobaxugulol vowuvul. or zalazun drabaxugulol vowuvul.
Show answer
zalazun drobaxugulol vowuvul.
z-Alazun | d-1st-x-gold | v-pour
First-class is a rank, marker ro; ra with one is the primary kind.
What changes
1. zahelan drowuxavulul vayebel. / zahelan drowaxavulul vayebel.
Show answer
z-Ahelan | d-origin-x-fire | v-see
z-Ahelan | d-telos-x-fire | v-see
wu gives fire in its beginning form; wa gives fire in its final form.
See also
- Free counts / ranks / number as verb / adverb / interjection / discourse: numbers.md
- Labels, time, measure, ranges, percent: numbers-applied.md
- The root last, as in every
xcompound: compounds.md