Sekirov Dictionary

verbal

UK /ˈvɜː.bəl/US /ˈvɝ.bəl/

adjective 9
noun 3
verb 1
forms 5

adjective9

Of or relating to words.
•
Consisting of words only.
- 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. — 1864
•
Expressly spoken rather than written; oral.
- You can't have verbal communication with a man in New South Wales, you know. — 1861
Derived from, or having the nature of a verb.
Used to form a verb.
•
Capable of speech.
- How do these language problems affect the behaviour of verbal children? — 2005
Concerned with the words, rather than the substance of a text.
Word for word.
•
(no longer used) Abounding with words; verbose.
- You put me to forget a lady’s manners By being so verbal; and learn now, for all, That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce By th’ very truth of it, I care not for you — 1611

noun3

•
(UK, informal) Talk; speech, especially banter or scolding.
- We'd give him a bit of verbal, out would come the bouncers, chucking their weight about, and it would all end in a right tear-up. — 2013
A verb form which does not function as a predicate, or a word derived from a verb. In English, infinitives, participles and gerunds are verbals.
(UK, Ireland) A spoken confession given to police.

verb1

•
(UK, Australia) To allege (usually falsely) that someone has made an oral admission.
- The problem of 'verballing' is unlikely to disappear, whatever the legal status of the person detained. — 1982

forms

verbaled · verballed · verbaling · verballing · verbals

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