verbal

For example, in many Indoeuropean languages, the participle can be used in a verbal or an adjectival sense, but for some, one of the two is missing, or takes a different form (proved vs. proven).

Ver"bal (?), a. [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.

Shak.

5. Gram.

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.

© Webster 1913.

Ver"bal, n. Gram.

A noun derived from a verb.

© Webster 1913.