Ver"bal, n. (Gram.) A noun
derived from a verb.
Ver"bal (?), a. [F., fr. L. verbalis.
See Verb.] 1. Expressed in words, whether
spoken or written, but commonly in spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not
written; as, a verbal contract; verbal testimony.
Made she no verbal question?
Shak.
We subjoin an engraving . . . which will give the reader a
far better notion of the structure than any verbal description could
convey to the mind.
Mayhew.
2. Consisting in, or having to do with, words only;
dealing with words rather than with the ideas intended to be conveyed; as,
a verbal critic; a verbal change.
And loses, though but verbal, his
reward.
Milton.
Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial
knowledge.
Whewell.
3. Having word answering to word; word for word;
literal; as, a verbal translation.
4. Abounding with words; verbose. [Obs.]
Shak.
5. (Gram.) Of or pertaining to a verb; as, a
verbal group; derived directly from a verb; as, a verbal
noun; used in forming verbs; as, a verbal prefix.
Verbal inspiration. See under
Inspiration. -- Verbal noun (Gram.),
a noun derived directly from a verb or verb stem; a verbal. The term is
specifically applied to infinitives, and nouns ending in -ing, esp.
to the latter. See Gerund, and -ing, 2. See also,
Infinitive mood, under Infinitive.