classifying modifier

classifying modifier (bestemmende adledd/beskriverledd): a premodifier of a noun which indicates that the head noun belongs to a particular class of things. E.g. a mobile phone is a particular kind of telephone. The classifying genitive (see above) is a type of classifying modifier. Other classifying modifiers are either adjectives or nouns used as premodifiers. The meaning of the combination of classifying premodifier + noun may not be predictable from the meaning of the modifier + the meaning of the head noun. E.g. top hat, black eye, personal computer, fine arts, compact car, steam engine, red-light district. If a noun phrase has more than one premodifier, the classifying modifier is always placed immediately before the head noun. An English noun phrase with a classifying modifier often corresponds to a compound noun in Norwegian (e.g. mobiltelefon,  flosshatt, dampmaskin). Compare specifying modifier.