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. [ 1913 Webster ] Made she no verbal question? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] And loses, though but verbal, his reward. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial knowledge. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Having word answering to word; word for word; literal; as, a verbal translation. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Abounding with words; verbose. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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