How would you analyze 'worth' in a sentence such as "This book is
worth
a dollar"?

If 'is' is a linking verb and 'worth' is a predicate adjective, what
is
a noun doing afterward?

Dictionaries I've consulted indicate 'worth' is a noun or adjective. I
myself can't use 'worth' as a descriptive adjective that comes before
a
noun (the normal position of course for most single-word, non-verbal
adjectives).

I think this example is similar to the above: "This book, worth a mere
dollar, is yours if you want it."

I was thinking 'worth' might be preposition (which would explain a
noun
afterwards), but I doubt it.  My other guess is it is an old term (Old
English) that ls now an idiosyncratic adjective that requires a noun
to
complete the description.  Not a very satisfying answer, so I'm
wondering what others think.

Larry Beason

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