infinitive
/ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/
infinitive
English
Noun
Ad
Definition
The infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood).
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.
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."
Ad