infinitive
/ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.57 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood).
noun
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.
noun
A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.
adj
Formed with the infinitive.
adj
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
Example Sentences
- "The MANNERS of acting, in grammar called modes or moods, are four; Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, Subjunctive or Conjunctive."
- "There are four moods, the Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, and Subjunctive. [...] the Infinitive is used to express a thing in a general manner."
- "INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER. To Have, Avoir."
- "In English there are four moods:–1. The Infinitive Mood. 2. The Indicative Mood. 3. the Imperative Mood. 4. The Subjunctive Mood."
- "[…] to search out in some higher region of infinitive space a spot where it was impossible for defilement to follow them […]"
Etymology
From Middle English infenitife (“without end, in perpetuity”), from Late Latin īnfīnītīvus (“unlimited, indefinite”), from Latin īnfīnītus (“unlimited, infinite”). By surface analysis, infinite + -ive.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: infenitife, īnfīnītīvus, īnfīnītus