infinitive
English Edit
Etymology Edit
From Middle French infinitif, from Late Latin infinitivus (“unlimited, indefinite”), from Latin infinitus (“unlimited, infinite”).
Pronunciation Edit
Noun Edit
infinitive (plural infinitives)
- (grammar) The infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood).
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon, L. Sandier, Guide to the French language; especially devised for persons who wish to study that language without the assistance of a teacher. the tenth edition, revised and corrected, London, page 69:
- The MANNERS of acting, in grammar called modes or moods, are four; Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, Subjunctive or Conjunctive.
- 1857, Henry Tindall, A grammar and vocabulary of the Namaqua-Hottentot language, page 38:
- There are four moods, the Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, and Subjunctive. [...] the Infinitive is used to express a thing in a general manner.
- (grammar) A non-finite verb form considered neutral with respect to inflection; depending on language variously found used with auxiliary verbs, in subordinate clauses, or acting as a gerund, and often as the dictionary form.
- (grammar) A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.
Hypernyms Edit
- (mood or mode): grammatical mood, mood, mode
- (verb (form)): verb
- (verbal noun): verbal
Derived terms Edit
Translations Edit
a mood or mode of verbs
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uninflected verb form
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See also Edit
Adjective Edit
infinitive (not comparable)
- (grammar) Formed with the infinitive.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon, L. Sandier, Guide to the French language; especially devised for persons who wish to study that language without the assistance of a teacher. the tenth edition, revised and corrected, London, page 70:
- INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER.
To Have, Avoir.
- 1858, C. P. Mason, English grammar; including the principles of grammatical analysis, London, page 32:
- In English there are four moods:–1. The Infinitive Mood. 2. The Indicative Mood. 3. the Imperative Mood. 4. The Subjunctive Mood.
- Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
- a. 1823, Cunningham's Sermons (quoted in 1823, The Edinburgh Christian Instructor, volume 23, page 328)
- […] to search out in some higher region of infinitive space a spot where it was impossible for defilement to follow them […]
- a. 1823, Cunningham's Sermons (quoted in 1823, The Edinburgh Christian Instructor, volume 23, page 328)
French Edit
Pronunciation Edit
Audio (file)
Adjective Edit
infinitive
Noun Edit
infinitive f (plural infinitives)
- infinitive clause, same as proposition infinitive
Italian Edit
Adjective Edit
infinitive f
Latin Edit
Noun Edit
īnfīnītīve