gerundive

[ juh-ruhn-div ]

noun
  1. (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).

adjective
  1. resembling a gerund.: See also gerund (def. 2).

Origin of gerundive

1
First recorded in1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word gerundīvus.See gerund, -ive

Other 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 Johnson
  • Lovely, with a show of insouciance, bagged three gerunds and one gerundive.

    The Varmint | Owen Johnson
  • This construction is especially frequent with phrases consisting of a gerundive and a noun.

    Selections from Viri Romae | Charles Franois L'Homond
  • The 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

gerundive

/ (dʒɪˈrʌndɪv) /


noun
  1. (in Latin grammar) an adjective formed from a verb, expressing the desirability of the activity denoted by the verb

adjective
  1. of or relating to the gerund or gerundive

Origin of gerundive

1
C17: from Late Latin gerundīvus, from gerundium gerund

Derived 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