predicant

In what is sometimes called the progressive form of the active voice nouns and adjectives are differentiated in the participles, and the verb "to be" is used as a predicant.

From On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 by John Wesley Powell

“But Ou’ Jackalse he ain’t a-seein’ nawtin’ but what she’s yust as glad to see him as if he was a predicant.

From Old Hendrik's Tales by Arthur Owen Vaughan

It may be remarked, not only from this example, but from general study, that the verb "to be" as a copula or predicant does not have any place in sign language.

From Sign Language Among North American Indians Compared With That Among Other Peoples And Deaf-Mutes First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-1880, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 263-552 by Garrick Mallery

The predicant simple is a distinct part of speech.

From On the Evolution of Language First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 1-16 by John Wesley Powell

I remember Suzanne standing before the little table, behind which was the predicant with his book.

From Swallow: a tale of the great trek by Henry Rider Haggard