Category:Verbal

Ver"bal, a. Etym: [f., fr. L. verbalis. See verb.]

1. Expressed in words, whether spoken or written, but commonly in Spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not written; as, a verbal Contract; verbal testimony. Made she no verbal question shak. We subjoin an engraving. . . which will give the reader a far better Notion of the structure than any verbal description could convey to The mind. Mayhew.

2. Consisting in, or having to do with, words only; dealing with Words rather than with the ideas intended to be conveyed; as, a Verbal critic; a verbal change. And loses, though but verbal, his reward. Milton. Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial knowledge. Whewell.

3. Having word answering to word; word for word; literal; as, a Verbal translation.

4. Abounding with words; verbose. [obs.] Shak.

5. (gram.)

Defn: of or pertaining to a verb; as, a verbal group; derived Directly from a verb; as, a verbal noun; used in forming verbs; as, a Verbal prefix. Verbal inspiration. See under inspiration. -- verbal noun (gram.), a noun derived directly from a verb or verb Stem; a verbal. The term is specifically applied to infinitives, and Nouns ending in -ing, esp. to the latter. See gerund, and -ing, 2. See also, infinitive mood, under infinitive.

Verbal Ver"bal, n. (gram.)

Defn: a noun derived from a verb.