Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Verbal
1.
Expressed in words, whether spoken or written, but commonly in spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not written;
as, a
verbal
contract; verbal
testimony.Made she no
verbal
question? Shakespeare
We subjoin an engraving . . . which will give the reader a far better notion of the structure than any
verbal
description could convey to the mind. Mayhew.
2.
Consisting in, or having to do with, words only; dealing with words rather than with the ideas intended to be conveyed;
as, a
. verbal
critic; a verbal
changeAnd loses, though but
verbal
, his reward. Milton.
Mere
verbal
refinements, instead of substantial knowledge. Whewell.
3.
Having word answering to word; word for word; literal;
as, a
. verbal
translation4.
Abounding with words; verbose.
[Obs.]
Shak.
5.
(Gram.)
Of or pertaining to a verb;
as, a
; derived directly from a verb; verbal
groupas, a
; used in forming verbs; verbal
nounas, a
. verbal
prefixVerbal inspiration
. See under
– Inspiration
. Verbal noun
(Gram.)
, a noun derived directly from a verb or verb stem; a verbal. The term is specifically applied to infinitives, and nouns ending in -ing, esp. to the latter. See
Gerund
, and -ing
, 2. See also, Infinitive mood
, under Infinitive
.Ver′bal
,Noun.
(Gram.)
A noun derived from a verb.
Webster 1828 Edition
Verbal
VERB'AL
,Adj.
1.
Spoken; expressed to the ear in words; not written; as a verbal message; a verbal contract; verbal testimony.2.
Oral; uttered by the mouth.3.
Consisting in mere words; as a verbal reward.4.
Respecting words only; as a verbal dispute.5.
Minutely exact in words, or attending to words only; as a verbal critic.6.
Literal; having word answering to word; as a verbal translation.7.
In grammar, derived from a verb; as a verbal noun.8.
Verbose; abounding with words. [Not in use.]