Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Infinitive
In-fin′i-tive
,Noun.
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
Infinitive mood
(Gram.)
, that form of the verb which merely names the action, and performs the office of a verbal noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: (
a
) The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. (b
) The form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in -ing; as, going is as easy as standing.With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could, would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare, do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go; you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc.
☞ In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly employed in expressing purpose. See
Gerund
, 2. The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was confounded with the present participle in -ende, or -inde (later -inge).
In-fin′i-tive
,Noun.
(Gram.)
An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood; the infinitive mood.
In-fin′i-tive
,adv.
(Gram.)
In the manner of an infinitive mood.
Webster 1828 Edition
Infinitive
INFIN'ITIVE
,Adj.
In grammar, the infinitive mode expresses the action of the verb, without limitation of person or number; as, to love.
Definition 2024
Infinitive
infinitive
English
Noun
infinitive (plural infinitives)
- (grammar) the infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood)
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 69:
- The MANNERS of acting, in grammar called modes or moods, are four; Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, Subjunctive or Conjunctive.
- s.a., Henry Tindall, A grammar and vocabulary of the Namaqua-Hottentot language, p. 38:
- There are four moods, the Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, and Subjunctive. [...] the Infinitive is used to express a thing in a general manner.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 69:
- (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
- (mood or mode): grammatical mood, mood, mode
- (verb (form)): verb
Translations
a mood or mode of verbs
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uninflected verb form
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See also
Adjective
infinitive (not comparable)
- (grammar) Formed with the infinitive.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 70
- INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER.
To Have, Avoir.
- INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER.
- 1858, C. P. Mason, English grammar; including the principles of grammatical analysis, London, p. 32:
- In English there are four moods:–1. The Infinitive Mood. 2. The Indicative Mood. 3. the Imperative Mood. 4. The Subjunctive Mood.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 70
- Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
- 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 […]
- Cunningham's Sermons (quoted in 1823, The Edinburgh Christian Instructor, volume 23, page 328)
French
Adjective
infinitive
- feminine singular of infinitif
Noun
infinitive f (plural infinitives)
- infinitive clause, same as proposition infinitive
infinitive
infinitive
English
Noun
infinitive (plural infinitives)
- (grammar) the infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood)
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 69:
- The MANNERS of acting, in grammar called modes or moods, are four; Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, Subjunctive or Conjunctive.
- s.a., Henry Tindall, A grammar and vocabulary of the Namaqua-Hottentot language, p. 38:
- There are four moods, the Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, and Subjunctive. [...] the Infinitive is used to express a thing in a general manner.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 69:
- (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
- (mood or mode): grammatical mood, mood, mode
- (verb (form)): verb
Translations
a mood or mode of verbs
|
|
uninflected verb form
|
|
See also
Adjective
infinitive (not comparable)
- (grammar) Formed with the infinitive.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 70
- INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER.
To Have, Avoir.
- INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER.
- 1858, C. P. Mason, English grammar; including the principles of grammatical analysis, London, p. 32:
- In English there are four moods:–1. The Infinitive Mood. 2. The Indicative Mood. 3. the Imperative Mood. 4. The Subjunctive Mood.
- 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and 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, p. 70
- Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
- 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 […]
- Cunningham's Sermons (quoted in 1823, The Edinburgh Christian Instructor, volume 23, page 328)
French
Adjective
infinitive
- feminine singular of infinitif
Noun
infinitive f (plural infinitives)
- infinitive clause, same as proposition infinitive