I. ver·bal ˈvərbəl, ˈvə̄b-, ˈvəib- adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French verbal, from Late Latin verbalis, from Latin verbum word, verb + -alis -al
1.
a. : expert or facile in the use of words
the most painstaking and elaborate verbal artist among the … poets of today — H.M.Green
b. : concerned with or using words for effect rather than meaning
a merely verbal writer who sacrifices content to sound
c. obsolete : verbose , wordy
you put me to forget a lady's manners by being so verbal — Shakespeare
2.
a. : of or relating to words : consisting in or having to do with words
few poets of the twentieth century have written verbal music with deeper sensibility — H.V.Gregory
a table of proportional dimensions for various widths is reproduced, and detailed verbal instructions are given — Experiment Station Record
b. : of, relating to, or involving words only : having to do with words rather than meaning or substance
a consistency that is merely verbal and scholastic — B.N.Cardozo
an outward conformity with its precepts and a verbal profession of its tenets — J.G.Frazer
c. : consisting of or using words only and not effective action
confined himself to a mere verbal protest
3. : of, relating to, or formed from a verb
occurs not less than ten times (eight times as a noun and twice in its verbal form) — Lutheran Quarterly
a verbal adjective
4. : spoken rather than written : oral
invitations to them may be verbal or by way of a short, informal note — Noreen Routledge
the employer's consent, verbal or written — Jacob Loft
5. : word for word : literal , verbatim
a verbal translation
6.
a. : of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words
verbal aptitude
the verbal factor of a test
— compare numerical 1e
b. : depending on the medium of words
verbal communication
verbal arts
7.
a. : involving the use of words rather than action or performance
the verbal IQ
b. : expressed merely through words : lacking in conceptual or emotional grasp
• ver·bal·ly -bəlē, -li adverb
II. verb·al noun
( -s )
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective — compare gerund , infinitive , participle