I. ˈvər-bəl 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
II. noun
Date: 1530
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective — compare gerund , infinitive , participle