by (in the sense of “untrammelled, independent”). A verb is said to be absolute when it lacks its customary object, and an adjective when it is used without a noun, e.g. αἰτεῖτε, καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν· ζητεῖτε, καὶ εὑρήσετε· κρούετε, καὶ ἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν “ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” Mt 7:7; μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων “neither eating nor drinking” Mt 11:18 cf Lk 7:33;
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