10 definitions found for infinitive

Infinitive INFIN'ITIVE, a. [L. infinitivus.]
In grammar, the infinitive mode expresses the action of the verb, without limitation of person or number; as, to love.

infinitive n 1: the uninflected form of the verb

infinitive "simple, uninflected form of a verb," 1520, from L.L. infinitivus "unlimited, indefinite," from L. infinitus (see infinite). "Indefinite" because not having definite person or number.

infinitive I. adjective Etymology: Middle English infinityf, from Late Latin infinitivus, from Latin infinitus Date: 15th century formed with the infinitive • infinitively adverb II. noun Date: 1530 a verb form normally identical in English with the first person singular that performs some functions of a noun and at the same time displays some characteristics of a verb and that is used with to (as in “I asked him to go”) except with auxiliary and various other verbs (as in “no one saw him leave”)

infinitive
n. & adj.
--n. a form of a verb expressing the verbal notion without reference to a particular subject, tense, etc. (e.g. see in we came to see, let him see).
--adj. having this form.
Derivatives:
infinitival adj. infinitivally adv.
Etymology: L infinitivus (as IN-(1), finitivus definite f. finire finit- define)

infinitive (infinitives) The infinitive of a verb is the basic form, for example 'do', 'be', 'take', and 'eat'. The infinitive is often used with 'to' in front of it. N-COUNT

infinitive ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv n. & adj. --n. a form of a verb expressing the verbal notion without reference to a particular subject, tense, etc. (e.g. see in we came to see, let him see). --adj. having this form. øøinfinitival adj. infinitivally adv. [L infinitivus (as IN-(1), finitivus definite f. finire finit- define)]

Infinitive In*fin"i*tive, n. [L. infinitivus: cf. F. infinitif. See Infinite.] Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined. Infinitive mood (Gram.), that form of the verb which merely names the action, and performs the office of a verbal noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: (a) The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. (b) The form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in -ing; as, going is as easy as standing. Note: With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could, would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare, do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go; you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc. Note: In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly employed in expressing purpose. See Gerund, 2. Note: The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was confounded with the present participle in -ende, or -inde (later -inge).

Infinitive In*fin"i*tive, n. (Gram.) An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood; the infinitive mood.

Infinitive In*fin"i*tive, adv. (Gram.) In the manner of an infinitive mood.