infinitive Meaning, Definition & Usage

In*fin"i*tive noun

Etymology

L. infinitivus: cf. F. infinitif. See Infinite.

Definitions

1. Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined. With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could, would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare, do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go; you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc. ✍ In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly employed in expressing purpose. See Gerund, 2. The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was confounded with the present participle in -ende, or -inde (later -inge).

In*fin"i*tive noun

Definitions

1. (Gram.) An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood; the infinitive mood.

In*fin"i*tive adverb

Definitions

1. (Gram.) In the manner of an infinitive mood.