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