In*fin"i*tive , adv. (Gram.) In the manner of
an infinitive mood.
In*fin"i*tive , n. (Gram.) An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood; the infinitive mood.
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.
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.
&fist; 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.
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).
Hear it pronounced