gerundive
(in Latin) a verbal adjective similar to the gerund in form and noting the obligation, necessity, or worthiness of the action to be done, as legendus in Liber legendus est, “The book is worth reading.”: See also gerund (def. 1).
resembling a gerund.: See also gerund (def. 2).
Origin of gerundive
1Other words from gerundive
- ger·un·di·val [jer-uhn-dahy-vuhl], /ˌdʒɛr ənˈdaɪ vəl/, adjective
- ge·run·dive·ly, adverb
- non·ge·run·dive, adjective
- non·ge·run·dive·ly, adverb
Words Nearby gerundive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use gerundive in a sentence
Well, if you have, how are you going to spot the gerund and the gerundive?
The Varmint | Owen JohnsonLovely, with a show of insouciance, bagged three gerunds and one gerundive.
The Varmint | Owen JohnsonThis construction is especially frequent with phrases consisting of a gerundive and a noun.
Selections from Viri Romae | Charles Franois L'HomondThe gerundive with esse denotes either physical necessity (must), or moral obligation (ought).
Selections from Viri Romae | Charles Franois L'Homond"gerundive, sir," said P. Lentz promptly, observing Stover's ears in a state of revolution.
The Varmint | Owen Johnson
British Dictionary definitions for gerundive
/ (dʒɪˈrʌndɪv) /
(in Latin grammar) an adjective formed from a verb, expressing the desirability of the activity denoted by the verb
of or relating to the gerund or gerundive
Origin of gerundive
1Derived forms of gerundive
- gerundival (ˌdʒɛrənˈdaɪvəl), adjective
- gerundively, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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