Main Entry:: ¹ver·bal
Pronunciation:: \ˈvər-bəl\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English verbale, from Late Latin verbalis, from Latin verbum word
Date:: 15th century

1 a: of, relating to, or consisting of words <verbal instructions> b: of, relating to, or involving words rather than meaning or substance <a consistency that is merely verbal and scholastic — B. N. Cardozo> c: consisting of or using words only and not involving action <verbal abuse>2: of, relating to, or formed from a verb <a verbal adjective>3: spoken rather than written <a verbal contract>4: verbatim, word-for-word <a verbal translation>5: of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words <verbal aptitude>

— ver·bal·ly

\-bə-lē\ adverb

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