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Ex: nálu dikkŭ (= the four quarters), ár̥u áḷ (= six persons),
pala grámavum (= many villages).
2. In distributive expressions the singular is used in-
stead of the plural.
Ex: tanngaḷ tanngaḷ víṭṭil poyi (= they went each to his own
house); íranṭu salphalam nalkinár [= they gave each two gifts
(lit. two two gift)].
271. What peculiarity is there in the use of the pro-
nouns.
Honorifically the plural is used instead of the singular,
the third person instead of the 1st and 2nd, and pure
nouns instead of pronouns.
Ex: 1. (Plural instead of singular.) 'nóm' kalpikkunnuṇṭu [= I
(lit. we) order you).
2. (The 3rd person instead of the 1st and 2nd.) 'tán' par̥ayu-
nnatu šari [= what you say (lit. one says) is right].
3. (Pure nouns instead of pronouns.) 'bhaván' kalpichchatiné
anusarichchu (=I have obeyed what your excellency ordered
'ijjanam' varátu [= I (lit. this person) will not come]; 'anngé'
trŭkkei [=your sacred hand (lit. the sacred hand of that place)];
nintiruvaṭi niyógattál [= by your command (lit. the command
of thy sacred foot)].
272. What uses are peculiar to 'tán' (= oneself etc.)?
'Tán is used to express, 1. an indefinite subject, 2. dis-
tribution, 3. mutuality, 4. (in apposition) as an expletive,
5. intensity, and 6. emphasis.
