infinitive

¹in·fin·i·tive

adjective \in-ˈfi-nə-tiv\

Definition of INFINITIVE

: formed with the infinitive

— in·fin·i·tive·ly adverb

Origin of INFINITIVE

Middle English infinityf, from Late Latin infinitivus, from Latin infinitus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with INFINITIVE

carminative, definitive

²infinitive

noun

Definition of INFINITIVE

: 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”)

First Known Use of INFINITIVE

1530

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with INFINITIVE

carminative, definitive