infinitive

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English

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Etymology

From Middle French infinitif, from Late Latin infinitivus (“unlimited, indefinite”), from Latin infinitus (“unlimited, infinite”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/, /ɪnˈfɪnətɪv/
    • Audio (Southern England)(file)

Noun

infinitive (plural infinitives)

  1. (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.
  2. (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.
  3. (grammar) A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.

Hypernyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Adjective

infinitive (not comparable)

  1. (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.
  2. 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

French

Pronunciation

Adjective

infinitive

  1. feminine singular of infinitif

Noun

infinitive f (plural infinitives)

  1. infinitive clause, same as proposition infinitive

Italian

Adjective

infinitive f

  1. feminine plural of infinitivo

Latin

Noun

īnfīnītīve

  1. vocative singular of īnfīnītīvus
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