Parts and Boundaries 3 - the features b(ounded) and i(nternal structure)

It has frequently been noted (Bach 1986, Fiengo 1974, Gruber 1967, Talmy 1978, among others) that the distinction between count and mass nouns strongly parallels that between temporally bounded events and temporally unbounded processes.

This is to do with the property of being able to be divided up into subparts which are conceptually of the same type as the whole (e.g. 'an apple' vs. 'water'; 'the light flashed' vs. 'Bill slept').

Some entities are BOUNDED (meaning that the boundaries are in view or of concern) and some are not.

Some entities are COMPLEX (meaning that they have relevant internal membership) and some are not.

• ∀x. matter(x) xor event(x) xor place(x) xor path(x)
• ∀ x. individual(x) <-> matter(x) and bounded(x) & ~complex(x)
• ∀ x. substance(x) <-> matter(x) and ~bounded(x) & ~complex(x)
• ∀ x. aggregate(x) <-> matter(x) and ~bounded(x) & complex(x)
• ∀ x. group(x) <-> matter(x) and bounded(x) & complex(x)

Some examples: (a) 'a cow' denotes an individual; (b) 'cattle' denotes an aggregate; (c) 'beef' denotes a substance; and (d) 'a herd' denotes a group. Note that 'individual' is the only subtype of matter that has an inherent shape, hence physical boundaries.