Ver"bal , n. (Gram.) A noun derived from a verb.
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. [Obs.] 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.
Hear it pronounced